Where to Go: the 11 Best Speedboat and RIB Dolphin Trips in Mauritius

1.Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 595 reviews · 5 hours · from $129Our pick

From Grande Riviere Noire, you’ll ride a speedboat with up to 14 passengers and two skippers, looking for spinner and bottlenose dolphins, resident sperm whales, and humpbacks in season. Guides such as Globis, Conrad, and Alan have been praised for careful animal practices. Expect a wet, bumpy ride, dolphin swimming, whale watching from the boat, and reef snorkeling.

“Trip was good! Skippers friendly and happy to explain things, respectful of the animals too. We saw whales, dolphins and a turtle. Swam with dolphins (snorkel and fins provided). Then they took us to a reef for more snorkeling. Had a very good morning!! Refreshements on board - simple but gladd we had them. We had 8 people on our boat which was just enough that we didnt feel too crowded. Boat could do with some small repairs but nothing to detract from the overall experience. Only downside was that we couldnt book this trip including transfer from hotel in the north and it was an expensive trip to then…”

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2.Black River: Swim with Dolphin Speed Boat Tour with lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 279 reviews · 6h 30m · from $74

Meet your skipper at Flic en Flac Public Beach for a small-group speedboat trip to see dolphins in the wild, snorkel near Crystal Rock, and visit Île aux Bénitiers. Guides such as Brian and Steven keep the outing friendly and wildlife-conscious. Lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, drinks, and time to relax by the sea.

“This was an absolutely fantastic activity from start to finish. The guides were very attentive and made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable throughout the trip. Swimming with the dolphins was an unforgettable experience – magical and truly one of a kind. The lunch on the beach was great too. We had a delicious BBQ with plenty of options, and it was all-you-can-eat, which was perfect. Drinks were available during lunch as well, and we could help ourselves to whatever we wanted, as much as we liked – which was a nice touch. Overall, everything was well organized and enjoyable. Highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a unique…”

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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”

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4.Speedboat to Ile aux Benitier: Dolphin Encounter & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 144 reviews · 6 hours · from $70

Spend six hours off Mauritius’s west coast in a speedboat, watching for dolphins in Tamarin Bay, snorkeling, viewing Crystal Rock, and eating a barbecue lunch on Ile aux Benitiers. The boat holds about 18 people on some outings. Pickup is optional, and English or French instruction is available.

“There were too many boats near dolphins, so it was hard to catch them. The lunch on the island was good, so nice trip overall if you ignore too many people near dolphins. But we had a pick up and they failed to pick us on time (hour delay), so the driver had to rush us to the meeting spot. The driver was pretty scary thanks to this.”

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5.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!!”

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6.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.”

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7.Mauritius: Benitier Island – Swim Dolphins – Speedboat & BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 40 reviews · 7 hours · from $88

Start early from Mauritius’s west coast for a speedboat trip in search of spinner and bottlenose dolphins. Swim, snorkel near coral reefs, pass Crystal Rock, then relax on Benitier Island with a BBQ, drinks, and views of Le Morne Brabant. English and French guides lead the 7-hour outing, including Gael and Éloïc on some departures.

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8.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!”

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9.Full day Shared Speedboat Tour – South West Lagoon Dolphin Swim

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 13 reviews · from $106

Start with a 6:30 am pickup, then take a speedboat from Flic en Flac or Tamarin to see dolphins in Mauritius’ southwest lagoon. Continue to Crystal Rock for snorkeling and Le Morne views, then enjoy a three-course halal barbecue, local drinks, and beach time on Ile aux Benitiers. Drivers such as Faiz and crew member Billy have earned special praise.

“This excursion was awesome from start to finish. Our driver (Faiz) was wonderful. Safe, kind, on time, and knowledgable about the island. The tour was incredible with everyone having a chance to swim with a large pod of dolphins. In my opinion, you need to be a pretty stronRead more”

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10.Private Speed Boat Tour and Dolphin Encounter at Ile aux Benitier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $312

Spend 6 to 7 hours on a private speedboat from Mauritius’s west coast, swimming with dolphins at Tamarin Bay, snorkeling near Crystal Rock, viewing Le Morne, and eating a three-course lunch on Ile aux Benitiers. Hotel pickup, drinks, cocktails, and vegetarian meals are available.

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11.Whale & Dolphins Swimming – Private Speedboat Exclusive Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 3 reviews · 4 hours

Spend four hours on a private speedboat off Mauritius, looking for whales and dolphins, swimming with them where permitted, and snorkeling over the reef. Your crew provides breakfast, equipment, a lagoon cruise, and English, French, German, Italian, or Russian guiding. Hotel transfers are optional.

“Super activité, dauphin et cachalots étaient au rdv ! L’équipe de skipper était super à l’écoute ! Je recommande !”

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