Catamaran Cruise to Ile Aux Bénitiers: Dolphin watch, Crystal Rock & Transfer
Overview
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Enjoy a full-day catamaran cruise to see the rare spinning Dolphins on the west coast of Mauritius including snorkeling at the Crystal rock and a visit to Benitiers Island.
You will set sail to the magical cruise to Ile aux Benitiers. During this catamaran cruise, you will discover the dolphins of Tamarin bay. Anchoring at Ile aux Benitiers, take advantage of the crystal-clear water and sandy beaches while snorkeling or just lazing around.
You will have a delicious BBQ lunch on the catamaran. The menu includes fresh fish, chicken, rice, pasta and potato salad, a variety of fresh salads and a dessert with a selection of unlimited local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in a 44ft beautiful catamaran.
This catamaran west coast cruise offers a great combination of nature, beautiful lagoons, encountering dolphins in their natural habitat and enjoying the cruising experience. It is a must visit place to see when visiting Mauritius – it is a place of unique wildness and tranquility.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Please advise of any food allergies or illness.
Children ages 3 years and under are free. Please notify of CHILD/ INFANT SEAT at the time of booking
Pick-up time may vary depending upon your location
Please bring your own towels and another spare clothes
In case of of Cyclone or torrential rainfall alert, you will receive a full refund if cancellation is made by the operator
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Dolphin watch in the open ocean
Visit to Ile aux Benitier islet
3-course lunch (Veg & non-veg lunch)
Private transportation in a fully air conditioned vehicle
Snorkeling at The Crystal Rock
Selection of unlimited drinks onboard (Wine, Beer, Soft & local Rhum)
Pick-up and drop-off at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Riviere Noire
Your adventurous Catamaran trip to Ile Aux Benitier begins with a complimentary hotel pick-up at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. You will meet and be greeted by our certified guide and after boarding to your comfortable vehicle, then set off to Tamarin, a fishing village nestled on the West Coast of Mauritius. The cruise is done on a great 40 feet catamaran along the South West coast of Mauritius which is considered one of the most beautiful area, and a must place to see when visiting Mauritius – it is a place of unique wildness and tranquility. As part of this cruise tour, you will discover the dolphins of Tamarin bay, visit and snorkel at the famous Crystal rock which stands out in the middle of the lagoon, and stay on Benitiers Island for relaxation on its beautiful sandy beaches. The cruise itself starts at 09:00 am. You will have a short pre-departure briefing by the boat’s captain.
Tamarin Bay
Then the catamaran will depart heading to Tamarin Bay area where you can encounter dolphins in their natural habitat. This is a unique chance to explore the spectacular lives of these magnificent marine mammals in their aquatic habitat. A little information about Dolphins in Mauritius Dolphins are perhaps the most fantastic of all the creatures that live in the ocean. The dolphins, cheerful and playful, are a symbol of intelligence and grace. In Mauritius, the dolphins live in pods of about 20 individuals or more and can be observed swimming from Tamarin Bay (on the west coast of Mauritius), on their way to the deep sea off the coast of the Le Morne peninsula. The most common dolphins in Mauritius are the Bottlenose Dolphin and the Spinner Dolphin. The Bottlenose Dolphin and the Spinner Dolphin have chosen the West Coast of Mauritius their place for rest and sleep before heading for the deep sea for their fishing.
Options
Catamaran Cruise to Ile Aux Bénitiers: Dolphin watch, Crystal Rock & Transfer
Pickup included
Reviews
53 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A beautiful day
simonazU5661EA,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful excursion to Île aux Bénitiers with dolphin sighting: an exciting and well-organized experience. When we went there were not too many boats and they were all very respectful of distance and speed. The driver Manav was very kind and on the way back, despite an inconvenience on the road and a lot of traffic, he really did his best. Lunch on the island was pleasant and the atmosphere relaxed. Recommended!
Cancelled at last minute
Lauren F,
Jul 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00At 2134 the night before the planned trip it was cancelled apparently due to bad weather. Many other tours continued and a tour operator in the area that others proceeded with no issue. We believe the tour operator simply cancelled on us for some other reason which was very disappointing. We then had to find another tour operator to take us on this trip the following day which threw out all our planned activities.
Nice experience
2020AB3002,
Apr 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Very pleasant day, the staff on the catamaran on top. Only small downside the welcome on arrival not very welcoming not to the image of the day very fortunately.
Average experience
Laura J,
Apr 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00If you want a ride on an older catamaran with smelly bathrooms and smokers this is for you. The service is fine and the lunch was good but they ran out of beer and ice by 1:00. If you’re staying on the north side of the island it took us two hours to get to the dock.
Manav and Freshverde were perfect!!
Ambassador488013,
Feb 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Manav, our driver was also our guide during our transfers to and from our hotel and always on time. We enjoy a lot with the tríp to Bentiers island organized by Freshverde. We could see some dolphin but we think people must be more respectable with dolphin. We enjoy visiting Benitiers island, we tasted coconut cocktail and the food prepared by Fresverde was really good. Manav was a good driver and a good person and thats why we choosed him as our private guide for other trips. We recomend Manav and the company Freshverde also.
Great Vibes, Great Day Out
Sandra D,
Nov 28, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The crew were fantastic and entertaining, even when things did not go as planned. BBQ lunch was spot on. Snorkeling gear was provided. Crystal Rock can get very busy. Choose your moment wisely for pics, don’t hesitate.
Disappointing no fun trip
Trip56178911121,
Oct 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Disappointing catamaran trip only saved by sightings of dolphins, this was the highlight of a substandard day. We have been on better catamaran trips. The main issue was the lack of crew interaction with the guests, very little information about what we were seeing and a lack of drink service & fun vibe. We were delayed getting to the cat due to low tide so had to take a boat out to the mooring. Once on board we set off out of the reef for a meander round ile au benititier bay. A single drink was offered at this point, all others had to be asked for. The dolphin sightings were great, saw a small pod of around 6 several times. Then we returned towards the ile for snorkelling. Equipment was provided. I asked about the strength of the current as I had experienced very strong rips on Mauritius. The crew did not understand & took the captain to answer my question! Turns out very strong so my sister who is not a strong swimmer did not last very long & had to climb back on board. She struggled but no crew help was offered. BBQ lunch onboard was ok usual boat fare: fish, chicken, salads, potato, a single piece of pineapple for desert. We then sailed to Crystal rock, no info was forthcoming & we were not invited to snorkel there which other boats were doing. Finally we transferred onto a small boat to the ile for an hour. 2 people fell into the sea as we disembarked & again no crew assistance was offered. Other boats were playing music, laughing & singing our boat was distinctly less jolly. I do not recommend this trip.
Recommended
883sofiev,
Jun 11, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Very nice tour with beautiful views of the catamaran. We were able to spot dolphins and had plenty of time to snorkel in between. We didn't need the loud music and certainly didn't need to ask for an extra tip on top of the price (we prefer to decide this ourselves...) All compliments to our driver Belinda, who took us back and forth safely with a pleasant chat!
An unforgettable experience
aadd282,
Jun 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00A wonderful and unforgettable experience on the Catamaran Lady Anne with an excellent crew. The dolphins are also fantastic experience in their natural habitat. The driver Manu also knows his trade and he takes you back and forth to the location. Aad and Roos
SHODDY OLD CRYSTAL CRUISES CATAMARAN WITH BLARING MUSIC - ILE AUX CERF
557KenM,
Dec 17, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Too loud music and really old and shoddy Crystal Cruises cataraman for the ile aux cerfs catamaran tour. The views were great with turquoise water and the waterfall was nothing special, but nice. However, in the boat, music was played really loud . Also, the catamaran was quite crowded with people and there was only the back of the boat exposed to the sun availablefor the last passengers. The lunch was ok (rice, pasta, salad with grilled fish, chicken and sausages, drinks (water, soft drinks, beer, rum) were included. However, they ran out of Coca-Cola!! Snorkeling wise, there was very little to see at the spot they stopped. Have been on a few of these cruises before and this Crystal Cruise Company is by far the worse. Other cruises' boats were in far better condition, the snorkeling sites were far better and their music was not so blaring. So, choose your Cruise Company carefully to have the best experience.
From €105.00
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Operated by Freshverde Holidays