Speedboat to Ile aux Benitier: Dolphin Encounter & Lunch

The main draw is the chance to swim near wild dolphins in the open water off Tamarin Bay, then race across the lagoon by speedboat to Ile aux Benitiers. I like the mix of wildlife, sea time, a good barbecue lunch, and the fine view toward Le Morne. I also like that the skipper briefing covers dolphin habits, safety, and more careful watching practices.

The catch is the dolphin encounter itself. Boats can gather around the same pod, and some people find the scene crowded and uncomfortable for both swimmers and dolphins. Weather can change fast, too. One February group came back soaked by heavy rain, and a delayed return taxi made the wait worse.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphin watching in Tamarin Bay: You spend up to two and a half hours in the open sea, with a chance to enter the water near dolphins.
• Speedboat travel: The boat ride is a major part of the fun, but a group of around 18 people is more comfortable than a fuller boat.
• Crystal Rock and Le Morne: The unusual rock formation and mountain views add memorable scenery to the outing.
• Barbecue on Ile aux Benitiers: Expect grilled fish, seafood, chicken, kebabs, sausages, salads, accompaniments, and drinks with lunch.
• Snorkeling and lagoon time: Water clarity can vary after rain, but the stop may bring fish and even a ray.
• Optional hotel transport: Pickup and drop-off can be added, but timing deserves attention.

A west-coast day built around dolphins

At $70 per person, this is a fairly full package for Mauritius. You get the speedboat, dolphin outing, snorkeling, Crystal Rock, Ile aux Benitiers, a barbecue lunch, and drinks during the meal. Pickup and drop-off cost extra if you choose that option.

I would think of the trip as a six-hour sea adventure rather than a quiet wildlife tour. The pace is active at first, with the boat moving out toward Tamarin Bay and stopping as the crew looks for dolphins. Later, the mood slows down over lunch and beach time.

That combination suits you if you want several west-coast highlights in one day. It is less suitable if you want a small, calm boat with a carefully controlled dolphin encounter. The number of boats in the area can affect the experience more than anything else.

Boarding at Flic en Flac

The meeting point is at Flic en Flac, where a representative helps direct you to the speedboat. If you add hotel pickup, you are asked to wait in the hotel lobby for the driver.

Transport is useful if you are staying away from the departure point, but build in patience. One pickup ran about an hour late, leaving the driver rushing to reach the boat. Another group found the return taxi was not warned about the rain, so passengers waited outside while already wet.

I would confirm the pickup time clearly before departure and keep the operator’s contact details handy. If you arrange your own transport, arrive with enough time to find the boarding point without stress.

Once aboard, the skipper gives a briefing. It covers the dolphin species you may see, their habits, sustainable watching guidelines, boat safety, and the procedure for entering the water. That is important here, since this is not a controlled aquarium setting. You are going out in the open ocean, where conditions and animal behavior cannot be guaranteed.

Two and a half hours in Tamarin Bay

The first major part of the trip lasts about two and a half hours. The skipper searches for dolphins, and you may have the chance to swim near them. When the encounter works, it can be the high point of the day: wild animals, open water, and a close view that no schedule can promise in advance.

You should keep expectations sensible. Several boats may be gathered around a pod, with people entering the water at the same time. That can make it hard to get a clear look. It also creates a real concern about crowding, boat movement, and the pressure placed on the animals.

The crew may choose to wait rather than push into the middle of the boats. That is the right instinct, even if it means less time in the water. I would rather have a shorter, calmer encounter than a frantic chase, but you should know that the tour cannot control how other operators behave.

Some people decide not to swim when the area feels too crowded. You can still watch from the boat, and the outing remains worthwhile for the sea ride and scenery, but the advertised dolphin swim is not a sure thing in the practical sense. The animals choose the distance, and the water may be busy.

The open-water setting also means the sea can feel energetic. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring whatever you normally use, although the supplied information does not specify medication or special facilities. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and dry clothes are listed essentials.

Snorkeling, fish, and changing water clarity

After the dolphin outing, the boat heads toward the lagoon and Benitiers Island. Snorkeling is included, usually in the open sea near the coral barrier. The stop gives you a chance to see fish and explore the water at a slower pace.

Conditions matter. After rain, the water may be less clear. One outing still produced a satisfying swim and even a sighting of a ray, while another found the snorkeling location uninteresting. That difference is a useful warning: this is a weather-dependent stop, not a guaranteed underwater show.

I like having snorkeling included because it breaks up the dolphin search and gives you another way to enjoy the lagoon. Bring a towel and spare clothes, since you may be wet from the swim, spray, or sudden rain by the time lunch begins.

Crystal Rock with Le Morne in view

The route includes a look at Crystal Rock, a distinctive formation rising from the lagoon. The boat may circle it for views and photographs, and the stop pairs naturally with the backdrop of Le Morne Mountain.

This is a scenic pause rather than a long visit. Some passengers found the repeated turns around Crystal Rock excessive, while others treated it as a pleasant photo opportunity. Your impression will depend on how much time you want in the water versus how much you enjoy taking in the coastal scenery.

Le Morne gives the day a strong sense of place. It is one of the west coast’s most recognizable views, and seeing it from the boat offers a different angle than viewing it from land. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray.

Barbecue lunch on Ile aux Benitiers

The boat then reaches Ile aux Benitiers, where the cooks begin preparing lunch. Food is served after roughly an hour of preparation, so you have time to settle into the island setting before eating.

The meal includes grilled kebabs, seafood and fish, chicken, sausages, salads, and other accompaniments. Drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices, are included with lunch. Do not read that as an open bar throughout the day. The practical information indicates beverages during the meal, and one detailed account specifically noted that drinks were provided only at lunchtime.

The barbecue is one of the strongest parts of the package. It is filling, informal, and well matched to a day spent swimming and riding in a boat. The meal is not a restaurant tasting menu, nor is it meant to be. You are eating outdoors on an island after a morning on the water.

Food preferences deserve attention before booking if you need something specific. The supplied details name seafood, fish, chicken, kebabs, and sausages, but they do not describe vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or religious dietary arrangements.

Beach time and the Le Morne view

After lunch, you can relax on the beach, stroll along the island, or spend more time around the lagoon and coral reefs. This is the calmest part of the day and gives you room to choose your own pace.

I like this free time because the tour does not end the moment the food is served. You can tan, walk, take photographs, or simply sit near the water. The view toward Le Morne gives the beach stop more character than a generic lunch break.

The island should not be treated as a major cultural visit. The appeal here is the setting, the beach, the lagoon, and the chance to slow down after the speedboat ride. If you prefer constant action, the downtime may feel long. If you want a few quiet hours after the dolphin search, it is welcome.

How good is the $70 value?

At $70, the price is attractive for the number of elements included. A separate speedboat ride, dolphin outing, snorkeling stop, island transfer, barbecue, and drinks could quickly cost more when booked individually. Pickup is optional, so compare the total price with your transport plans rather than looking only at the advertised base rate.

The value depends on your priorities. If swimming with dolphins is your one essential goal, the crowded conditions could leave you disappointed. If you see dolphins as one part of a wider west-coast day, the package is stronger.

The meal also helps the value. You are not paying only for a short boat ride and a possible animal sighting. The trip continues to Crystal Rock, Le Morne views, Benitiers Island, lunch, and beach time.

The group size matters. Around 18 people, including children, felt manageable to one group, though the boat was described as close to full. More people would make boarding, moving around, and entering the water less comfortable. Ask about the expected boat capacity if this is important to you, since the supplied details do not guarantee a fixed group size.

Weather, clothes, and small practical choices

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and a change of clothes. I would add a light rain jacket or waterproof shell, especially during wetter periods. A sudden downpour can leave you drenched, and the boat ride home will not give you much shelter from spray.

Wear practical swim clothing and secure anything loose before the boat accelerates. Keep valuables protected from water. These are simple precautions, but they matter more on a small open speedboat than they do on a large ferry.

The activity is offered with English and French instruction. The exact guide or skipper name is not provided, so you should not expect to choose a particular crew member when booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which is useful when your plans depend on weather or other bookings. Check the available start times for your date, since the activity lasts about six hours.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want a busy, scenic day on Mauritius’s west coast and like the idea of combining wildlife, speed, food, and beach time. Families can enjoy the variety, although younger children should be comfortable on a speedboat and in open water.

It also suits couples and friends who want an easy package rather than several separate bookings. The barbecue, drinks, and optional transport make the day simple to arrange.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a quiet ethical wildlife encounter, a small private boat, or clear snorkeling water in all conditions. The dolphin area may be crowded, snorkeling quality can vary, and weather can change the plan’s feel.

Should you book the dolphin and Benitiers tour?

Book it if you want good value and a full west-coast itinerary, with the understanding that the dolphin swim is a chance, not a guaranteed private encounter. The strongest parts are the speedboat ride, the island barbecue, the Le Morne views, and the variety packed into six hours.

Before paying, decide how you feel about boats gathering near dolphins. If that would spoil the day for you, choose a more controlled or smaller-scale option if available. If you can treat the dolphins as one part of the outing, this $70 trip offers a lively introduction to Mauritius’s western waters, with lunch and island time rounding out the experience.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts about six hours.

Where does the tour depart?

The activity begins at Flic en Flac, where a representative directs you to the speedboat.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are optional. If you select that option, wait in your hotel lobby for the driver.

What languages are available?

Instruction is provided in English and French.

Is swimming with dolphins guaranteed?

No. The activity offers a chance to encounter and swim near dolphins in the open ocean, but dolphin behavior, sea conditions, and the number of boats in the area can affect the experience.

What food is served at lunch?

The barbecue includes grilled kebabs, seafood and fish, chicken, sausages, salads, and other accompaniments.

Are drinks included?

Yes, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included with lunch. The information indicates that drinks are served during the meal, not necessarily throughout the entire day.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a change of clothes, a towel, and sunscreen. A rain jacket is also a sensible extra because sudden rain can occur.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.