The 15 Dolphin and Snorkeling Trips in Mauritius That Are Worth the Early Start

1.Île aux Bénitiers: Snorkeling w/Dolphins Boat Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,635 reviews · 7 hours · from $115Our pick

Set out from the west coast by speedboat for a dolphin encounter, Crystal Rock snorkeling, and time at Île aux Bénitiers. Your day includes hotel pickup, equipment, a three-course BBQ with local drinks, and guides speaking several languages. Expect an early start, shallow-water boarding, and an exciting ride back across the lagoon.

“We had a very enjoyable day. We were picked up on time and taken to the departure point, we did have to wait around abit for everyone to collate and off we headed. First off the dolphins. They were lovely to see, although alittle manic with a lot of boats doing the same. Off the boat on the boat, I did feel alittle sorry for the dolphins with so much going on but was nice to see them. Off we went to the snorkelling area which was lovely to see the reef and different fish and onto crystal rock and to the island for lunch. We were made felt welcome…”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Dolphin Snorkel, CrystalRock, ile o Benitiers Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 511 reviews · from $77

Join an English or French speaking crew from Tamarin Public Beach for a speedboat search for dolphins, snorkeling, a Crystal Rock stop, and a beach barbecue on Ile aux Benitiers. Guides such as Gregory, Peanut, Atish, Jonathan, and Jordan are praised for friendly service, though conditions and island access can affect the plan.

“Gregory & Peanut were absolutely amazing crew on the boat. They made sure we saw everything that was promised in the description and even more! Absolutely recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Mauritius: Snorkel and Swim with Dolphins on Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 147 reviews · from $49

Meet your captain and guide at Tamarin Beach for a briefing, then head out by speedboat to watch and swim with dolphins in open sea. Snorkeling gear, life vests, and light drinks are provided. Captain Jérôme has earned special praise, but conditions and dolphin behavior shape the timing of each swim.

“The fruit juices mentioned in the service were the only thing missing. But great activity! We were really impressed. An unforgettable moment”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.La Preneuse: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 92 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Meet Feliciano, Andy, Miguel, or another bilingual skipper at La Tour Martello on La Preneuse beach. You’ll ride a speedboat toward wild dolphins, swim only if you are a confident swimmer, then snorkel in a lagoon with reef fish, possible octopus, and dramatic views toward Le Morne. Equipment is included.

“Amazing! Our guide was half dolphin himself, toon my GoPro with him and got some amazing shots too!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.La Preneuse: Dolphin Swimming and Snorkeling Speedboat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 54 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47Best value

Meet your English or French-speaking guide at La Preneuse Beach around 7:30 a.m. for a 150-minute speedboat trip in search of dolphins. You may enter the water several times, then snorkel with provided equipment. Groups can be small, though conditions and other boats affect the experience. Hotel transfers are not included.

“The captain made every effort to ensure each person had an opportunity to see the dolphins, he went the extra mile when there was one lady who didnt see the dolphins up close yet and allowed her another opportunity to jump in and she saw it. The guide was also guide and am excellent swimmer which put me at peace while in the water as I am not a strong swimmer.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Île aux Bénitiers Snorkeling with Dolphins + Seafood Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 28 reviews · 9 hours · from $80

Set out from Tamarin at 07:30 in a small group of up to 15 for a speedboat trip to see and swim near wild dolphins. Snorkel at Crystal Rock beneath Le Morne, eat a BBQ lunch on Île aux Bénitiers, and relax on the beach. Crew members Jean Yves and Jason have been praised for their friendly care, though departure arrangements can be chaotic.

“Nous avons passé une bonne journée, quelques corrections cependant à apporter au descriptif: - vous évoquez les cachalots mais nos guides n ont même pas essayé d aller en voir, ce n est apparemment pas la saison mais du coup il faut le préciser. - vous évoquez également pour le repas une grillade de crustacés, nous n en avons pas vu la couleur et un peu de glaces dans la glacière pour maintenir les boissons au frais pour le repas serait un plus. - vous annoncez un retour à 16h, nous étions à quai à 14h. dans l absolu ce n était pas plus mal car nous avions de la…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Snorkel with Dolphins, Lunch on Benitiers island, Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · from $64

Meet the crew at Tamarin Beach at 7:30 am for a small-group speedboat trip into Tamarin Bay. You will watch and snorkel near dolphins, stop at Crystal Rock, then enjoy a BBQ lunch, salad, and drinks on Ile aux Benitiers. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided.

“I had an amazing experience snorkeling with dolphins, enjoying a delicious lunch on Benitiers Island, and speeding through the waters by speedboat. The dolphins were incredible up close, the island lunch was fresh and delightful, and the speedboat added an exciting touch to the adventure. A perfect day—10/10!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Dolphins & Whales, Private Tour Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 21 reviews · 4 hours

Take a four-hour private speedboat trip off Mauritius with an English- or French-speaking skipper. You may see humpback whales and spinner dolphins, then stop at Crystal Rock and the natural aquarium for swimming and snorkeling. Skipper Ali and assistant Bebe have earned praise for calm, nature-minded guiding. Drinks, equipment, and a private boat are included.

“We saw both Dolphins and Whales, guide captain (Ali) was great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Wild Dolphin Encounter & Snorkeling Adventure – Mauritius.

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 20 reviews · from $65

Set out around 7:30 AM from Mauritius for a shared speedboat ride to wild dolphin areas, with a licensed crew, guide, masks, and flippers included. You may swim in small groups of four or five, then snorkel among marine life before returning to the meeting point. Pick-up and drop-off cost extra.

“We had a great trip, saw the dolphins, and even got to swim with them. However, the description of the trip said there were only 7 people on the boat, but we were 9 adults, 2 kids, and 2 guides. But the boat wasn't too crowded anyway. We'd book this trip again anytime”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Dolphins: Private, Snorkel, CrystalRock, ileoBenitiers,lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9 reviews · 7 hours

Spend seven private hours off Mauritius with a captain and crew, swimming near dolphins in Tamarin Bay, snorkeling with provided gear, viewing Crystal Rock, and eating a grilled chicken and fish barbecue on Ile aux Bénitiers. Ali, Jonathan, or JJ may be part of the friendly team. Departure can shift between Tamarin and La Preneuse.

“It was amazing. This was a birthday surprise for my husband while here in Mauritius, he and I both enjoyed ourselves so much. Ali and his team went out of their way to ensure we had a eventful and memorable day. we would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Discover Mauritius: Dolphin Watch, Snorkeling, BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 6 reviews · 1 day

Spend about eight hours exploring Mauritius by road and catamaran, with dolphin watching near Black River, snorkeling, Crystal Rock, Ile Aux Benitier, and a Mauritian BBQ lunch. Pickup and drop-off are included for two people. English and French are offered, and driver Dee has earned special praise for his warm, helpful service.

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private Île aux Bénitiers Boat: Dolphin Snorkeling & Lobster

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 7 hours Top rated

Spend about seven hours on a private speedboat from Le Morne with dolphin encounters, Crystal Rock snorkeling, and a lobster barbecue on Île aux Bénitiers. Skipper Patrice is praised for attentive, relaxed service. Your group of up to four gets an open bar, gear, lagoon cruising, and optional hotel transfers.

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Private Dolphin Swim/Snorkeling & Lunch on Benitiers island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 7 hours

You’ll travel by private speedboat from your accommodation to Tamarin Bay, then on to Île aux Bénitiers. Expect dolphin watching, snorkeling near Crystal Rock, views of Le Morne Mountain, and a freshly prepared three-course BBQ with drinks. English and French guides, gear, crew, and hotel transfers are included.

“Trevligt och bra ordnat! Vi var här i mitten av December, och när det gäller simma med delfiner och snorkling är det bra men inte fantastiskt beroende på att det var mycket andra turister samtidigt. Hade i och för sig inte väntat mig något annat men med mer privat simtur som nog skulle kunna gjorts om vi varit ute en timme tidigare. Det var många som ville göra samma sak samtidigt så alltså en hel del andra turister. Vi var på en privat tur med baar vår familj - rekommenderas starkt om man har möjlighet.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Private Dolphin Snorkeling Tour. Equipment available Free.

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3 reviews

Meet your guide at Tamarin Beach for a private speedboat outing focused on dolphin watching and supervised snorkeling. You may see large and small dolphins, swim near them up to three times, and choose your arrival time or snorkeling area when possible. Alibaba and Jean Luc are named guides. Gear, water, juice, and soft drinks are included.

“Top guide! Despite the fact that we got lost and were late, the guide waited and gave us a great tour. We were able to see many dolphins up close—a truly amazing experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $111

Leave La Gaulette at 6 am with a specialised skipper for a dolphin search, safe swimming near spinner and bottlenose dolphins, reef snorkelling, Crystal Rock photos, and a beachside BBQ. The shared boat carries no more than 10 people and returns around 1 pm. Soonil may be your skipper.

Check availability →Read our full review