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 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.
What‘s Included
Snorkeling at The Crystal Rock
3-course lunch (Veg & non-veg lunch)
Dolphin watch in the open ocean
Visit to Ile aux Benitier islet
Selection of unlimited drinks onboard (Wine, Beer, Soft & local Rhum)
Pick-up and drop-off at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius
Private transportation in a fully air conditioned vehicle
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Catamaran Cruise to Ile Aux Bénitiers: Dolphin watch, Crystal Rock & Transfer
Pickup included
Reviews
56 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Pathetic and a rip-off tour compared to others
ShevanaS,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00This was one of the worst tours that I have done in Mauritius. The pictures of what you get on the tour are misleading. The staff on the boat were extremely unprofessional. There was not enough snorkel gear for even 10 people on the boat - no flippers as well. We went on a boat called Coral Queen and was not in a good condition as compared to other boats. The transfer was very unprofessional as well. Just left us at the jetty and did not tell us what to do or who we where going with. Literally wasted an hour waiting for the boat to depart and there was no safety briefing like they claim to do. I defintely would not recommend using this tour operator if you want to have good time on the tour. When I compare this to other tours that I used on the island previously, this will rate a 1 out of 10. The cutlery, crockery and the glasses were not clean and neat. The tender boat was terrible and the engine cut-off midway during transfer. There was defintely more than 30 people on the tour. So to sum up in a nutshell this is a rip-off tour and my recommendation is not to book it if you want to have a good time.
Does not need to be repeated.
670williw,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Unfortunately, the tour did not meet our expectations. Hygiene left much to be desired. The chicken was not quite cooked through. The island stay extremely short. (only about 30 minutes). The service could have been friendlier. The team was not very motivated. The boat made an unkempt, spent impression.
Wonderful boat trip but the transfer…
814lennartj,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00A wonderful cruise with good food, nice weather, pleasant boat, nice staff and not so many guests. Easy to book and a plus that transfer was included in the price. A boat trip to really recommend…but.. The taxi ride from southeastern Mauritius to the port in the south-west of the island was a journey that we should not forget. The driver showed us a film on the phone of him taking part in a race to show us that he really could drive. Unfortunately, our transfer trip was really like a racing race. Stereon at maximum volume and plate at the bottom. Not something you want to experience when looking for peace and quiet on holiday.
Excursions in Mauritius in November 2025
saideD6455OU,Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hello a very she experience with this agency and the excursions made with our driver Hasheem are remarkable. Hasheem speaks French and English very well and has been able to guide us and comment enthusiastically on the different stages of the circuits. I highly recommend these excursions to Mauritius.
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.
From €105.00
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Operated by Freshverde Holidays