Shared 10 Pax Boat Tour: Dolphin Watching, Snorkelling and BBQ

The day starts before most holiday breakfasts, with a 6 am departure from La Gaulette and a run toward spinner and bottlenose dolphins. I like the small maximum of 10 people, and I like that the day includes more than a quick dolphin sighting: you also get reef snorkelling, Crystal Rock, lunch, and time on a sandy beach. The main drawback is simple: dolphin encounters depend on nature, and several boats may gather in the same area.

I also like the practical shape of the trip. Snorkelling gear, a life jacket, bottled water, and a full BBQ lunch are included, so the $111.58 price covers the main costs once you are on the boat. Just remember your own towel, sunscreen, and camera, and allow for an early start and a weather-dependent schedule.

Key points at a glance

• 6 am departure from La Gaulette: An early start gives you the best chance of reaching the dolphin area during the first part of the day.
• Spinner and bottlenose dolphins: The skipper guides you toward both types and helps you swim near them while asking you to respect their natural setting.
• Small shared boat: The group is capped at 10 people, a useful middle ground between a crowded cruise and a much costlier private charter.
• Crystal Rock and reef snorkelling: After the dolphin search, you visit a shallow-water snorkelling area and the famous rock for photos.
• Mauritian BBQ lunch: Grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salad, garlic bread, drinks, and flamed banana make this a substantial half-day outing.
• Beach time before the return: You can sunbathe, walk along the sand, or sit beside the blue lagoon before returning around 1 pm.

An early start for Mauritius dolphins

The heart of this outing is the morning search for dolphins off the southwest coast of Mauritius. You leave the meeting point at One And Only Jackpot DolphinMU on Remy Ollier Road in La Gaulette at 6 am, then travel by boat toward the area where spinner and bottlenose dolphins are seen.

That timing matters. You are not joining a lazy midday cruise. The first hours are set aside for the dolphin search, so you should arrive ready to move as soon as the boat leaves. The early light also gives the ride a scenic beginning, with the southwest coast opening up around you.

The skipper’s job is more than steering. You are guided toward the dolphins, shown how to enter the water, and assisted during the swim. The stated approach is to keep the encounter respectful of the animals’ natural environment. That is important here because a dolphin swim can quickly become too crowded or too forceful if boats chase the animals without care.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is a quest for wild dolphins, not a guaranteed animal performance. The boat may find spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, both, or possibly spend time searching. The strongest experience comes from treating the swim as a chance to observe and move near free-ranging animals, not as a staged show.

A practical point is worth noting: the area can attract several boats. One account describes many boats around the dolphins, though the captain managed the situation well and still allowed people to swim close. That means your skipper’s judgment matters. It also means the water may not feel private, even with a group of only 10 on your boat.

Swimming with spinner and bottlenose dolphins

When conditions come together, the dolphin swim is the most memorable part of the day. Spinner dolphins are known for their energetic movement, while bottlenose dolphins have a heavier, more familiar shape. Seeing both on the same morning would give you two different encounters in one outing.

The operator describes the swim as safe and respectful, with the skipper guiding and assisting you. You should follow those instructions closely. Stay aware of the boat, other swimmers, and the dolphins’ movement. The aim is to let the animals set the pace rather than trying to corner them.

This part may suit confident swimmers best, but the tour includes life jackets and assistance. The information provided says most people can participate, though it does not give a detailed swimming ability requirement. If you are unsure in open water, ask about the conditions before entering and use the life jacket provided.

Families can also find value here, especially once the tour reaches the shallower snorkelling area. One family outing included children who enjoyed the shallow water, although getting everyone out for the barbecue was apparently not easy. That is a good sign for young swimmers who want sea time without spending the whole day in deeper water.

The tradeoff is that the dolphin portion can feel less controlled than a normal sightseeing stop. You cannot set a fixed time for the animals to appear, and the number of boats in the area may affect how close you get. Still, the freedom of seeing dolphins in their own environment is exactly what gives this part its power.

Crystal Rock and colorful reef water

After the dolphin search, the skipper takes you to a snorkelling area described as an aquarium spot, with coral reefs and shallow water. Snorkelling equipment and life jackets are included, which keeps the preparation easy. You only need to bring your own towel, sunscreen, and camera.

The reef stop changes the pace of the trip. The dolphin search is active and uncertain. Snorkelling gives you a more settled period to look down into the water, watch the reef, and let children or less confident swimmers take their time.

The coral is described as colorful and impressive, but you should not expect a large marine park with a long guided reef tour. The supplied details do not specify the exact reef, visibility, fish species, or time spent in the water. Think of this as a scenic snorkel stop that adds variety to the morning rather than the sole reason to book.

Crystal Rock provides the classic photo moment. The rock rises from the lagoon as a distinctive natural feature, and the boat gives you a chance to photograph it from the water. Bring a camera that can handle spray, and keep it secure. Cameras and sunscreen are not included.

This is also where the tour earns some of its value. A dolphin-only trip can be short if the animals move away. By adding reef snorkelling and Crystal Rock, the experience still has several worthwhile parts even if the dolphin encounter is briefer than hoped.

A Mauritian BBQ with time on the sand

Lunch is served after the water activities. The buffet includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salad, garlic bread, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and a flamed banana for dessert. Lobster is not included, so do not mistake this for a seafood luxury lunch.

I like the mix because it gives you a proper meal after an early start and several hours on the water. There are familiar choices for different tastes, but the grilled fish and flamed banana add a local touch. If you have allergies or follow a vegetarian diet, tell the operator when booking. Special requests for nuts and other allergies are specifically invited.

The meal is part of the outdoor character of the tour. After eating, you have leisure time to sunbathe, walk along the sandy beach, and look across the blue lagoon. This pause is useful. A seven-hour boat day with dolphin swimming and snorkelling could feel rushed without some unplanned time.

The exact beach setup is not described in detail, so bring modest expectations about facilities. There is no stated provision of towels or sunscreen, and you should pack both. You may also want a change of clothes, though that is not listed as a requirement. Keep your belongings compact, as this is a shared boat with limited space.

The beach period will appeal to people who want a relaxed finish. If you prefer nonstop activity, it may feel like a long pause. If you want to dry off, eat slowly, and enjoy the coast without another scheduled stop, it is a welcome part of the day.

What the $111.58 price really covers

At $111.58 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but it includes a lot for a seven-hour outing. You are paying for a shared boat, skipper assistance, dolphin searching and swimming, snorkelling equipment, life jackets, bottled water, a BBQ buffet, drinks, dessert, and beach time.

The group limit is important when judging the price. With no more than 10 people, you are not signing up for a large sightseeing vessel. A small group should make it easier to hear the skipper, get help in the water, and move between activities. The experience is still shared, so it is not a private charter, but it offers a useful compromise.

The tour may be especially good value if you would otherwise pay separately for a dolphin trip, snorkel rental, and lunch. It also saves you from planning several southwest-coast activities on different days. On the other hand, the value drops if you only care about a guaranteed dolphin sighting or dislike early mornings.

The tour is booked an average of 14 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute during a busy visit. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. That timing is worth allowing for if your holiday schedule is tight.

Timing, meeting point, and weather

You meet at One And Only Jackpot DolphinMU, Remy Ollier Road, La Gaulette 91102, Mauritius. The same location is used at the end, with the boat returning around 1 pm. The activity lasts about seven hours, though the stated timetable from 6 am to 1 pm is closer to seven hours including the full morning and lunch period.

The early meeting time is the biggest logistical issue. Plan your evening before the tour so you can arrive alert and on time. The information says the meeting point is near public transportation, but it does not provide a pickup service or hotel transfers, so do not assume transport to the dock is included.

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted.

That policy is fair for a sea trip, but it makes your final days in Mauritius important. If you have flexibility, schedule this outing early enough to leave room for another date in case of bad weather.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this tour if you want one morning to cover several southwest Mauritius highlights without arranging separate bookings. It suits couples who want a memorable dolphin encounter, families interested in shallow-water snorkelling, and food lovers who enjoy a simple outdoor BBQ rather than a formal meal.

The group cap also suits you if you want some personal attention without paying private-boat rates. Soonil is named as a skipper who showed kindness and attention during one family outing. The operator also describes a specialised skipper who assists with the swim and keeps the trip pleasant.

You may want a different option if you need a private boat, dislike sharing the dolphin area with other boats, or want a firm guarantee of animal sightings. The tour also may not fit if you cannot manage a 6 am start or if you want a long, technical reef snorkel.

Pack light but carefully:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Swimwear
• Any personal allergy medication
• A note about dietary needs when booking

Snorkelling equipment, life jackets, bottled water, and lunch are supplied. Lobster is not part of the meal.

Should you book the dolphin and BBQ tour?

Book it if you want a full southwest-coast morning rather than a single dolphin ride. The strongest reasons are the 10-person limit, included snorkelling gear, the chance to see both spinner and bottlenose dolphins, Crystal Rock, and a generous BBQ lunch with drinks.

Go in with realistic expectations. Dolphins are wild, several boats may share the area, and the weather can change the plan. If you accept that uncertainty, this gives you a well-filled day at sea with a good mix of excitement and rest.

For the best fit, reserve ahead, arrive ready for a 6 am start, tell the operator about allergies or vegetarian needs, and bring your own towel, sunscreen, and camera. For a shared boat experience with food and several stops included, the price is reasonable, especially for couples and families who want variety in one booking.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at One And Only Jackpot DolphinMU on Remy Ollier Road, La Gaulette 91102, Mauritius.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 6:00 am.

When does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same embarkation point at about 1:00 pm. The total duration is approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The shared activity has a maximum of 10 participants.

Are snorkelling equipment and life jackets included?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment and a life jacket are included.

What food is served for lunch?

The buffet includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salad, garlic bread, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and flamed banana for dessert. Lobster is not included.

Can dietary requests be arranged?

You should update the operator about allergies, including nut allergies, or vegetarian requirements when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.