Full Day Catamaran Cruise on shared basis to Bénitiers Island

Sea days should feel easy.

This six-hour catamaran cruise combines dolphin watching at Tamarin Bay with a snorkelling stop, a barbecue lunch, and time near Bénitiers Island. I like the relaxed mix of sailing, food, and scenery, and I also like that drinks, snorkelling equipment, and lunch are included. The main caution is simple: dolphins are wild animals, and one poor experience came from a day when the dolphins were too far away to reach safely.

You meet at Le Morne Anglers’ Club in Grande Riviere Noire at 9:30 a.m. and return to the same point around 3:30 p.m. There is no hotel transfer, and towels are not supplied, so you need to arrange both details yourself. With a maximum of 35 people, this is a shared cruise, not a private sailing trip, but the group size should still leave room to move around the boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphin watching comes first: The boat sails toward Tamarin Bay, but sightings and approach distances depend on the animals and sea conditions.
• Crystal Rock provides the lunch setting: Barbecue lunch is served onboard near this famous rock formation, with the Black River mountain range in view.
• Bénitiers Island is part of the day: You get time to visit Ile aux Benitiers after the sailing and snorkelling portions.
• Food and drinks are included: Lunch, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are covered in the price.
• The meeting point is in Grande Riviere Noire: Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your route to Le Morne Anglers’ Club.
• The cruise costs $90.59 per person: For six hours on the water with lunch, drinks, and equipment included, the value is reasonable if the sea day itself appeals to you.

Setting out from Grande Riviere Noire at 9:30 a.m.

The day begins at Le Morne Anglers’ Club on Colonel Dean Avenue in Grande Riviere Noire. This is both your departure and return point. Since transfers are not included, you need to arrive under your own arrangements and leave enough time to find the club before the 9:30 a.m. start.

That meeting point matters if you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius. A cruise price can look attractive until you add taxi costs, so check your transport plan before booking. The practical upside is that you are not waiting for a long series of hotel pickups. Once you reach the club, the sailing portion can begin without much fuss.

The boat carries up to 35 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but it is also not an enormous ferry. You should expect a social shared-boat atmosphere, with space and attention spread among the group. If you want a quiet, highly personal sailing day, a private charter would suit you better. If you enjoy meeting people and want to keep the cost below private-boat prices, this format makes more sense.

The cruise lasts about six hours, with a return planned for approximately 3:30 p.m. That gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water without taking over your entire day. You can still make evening plans, though I would avoid booking anything that requires an exact arrival time. Sea conditions can affect the pace.

Tamarin Bay and the search for dolphins

The first main stop is Tamarin Bay, where the crew takes you to look for dolphins. This is likely to be the most anticipated part of the outing, but it is also the least certain. Dolphins move freely, and their location can change during the day. The operator may decide not to travel farther if reaching them would be unsafe or impractical.

That point is important because the experience is not a guaranteed close encounter. One particularly unhappy account described spending much of the day at sea without seeing dolphins or receiving much explanation. The crew was still described as friendly, and the operator’s response stressed that safety comes first when dolphins are too far away. You should book this as a dolphin-search cruise, not as a guaranteed wildlife show.

The stated time at Tamarin Bay is about 10 minutes, though the wider sailing schedule includes the movement toward the bay and time spent watching the water. If dolphins appear nearby, that short stop could become the emotional highlight of your day. If they do not, you will need to value the cruise for its sailing, views, food, and later stops.

I appreciate this kind of honest expectation setting. Wild animals do not work to a timetable. You may be rewarded with a memorable sighting, but the responsible choice is to accept that the boat cannot promise one.

Snorkelling in the west coast lagoon

After the dolphin-watching portion, the cruise includes a snorkelling stop. Snorkelling equipment is provided, which saves you from packing or hiring your own mask and gear. The tour description presents the surrounding waters as full of fish, so the stop is intended to give you a closer look at the lagoon’s marine life rather than only viewing the sea from the deck.

The available details do not specify the exact snorkelling location, water depth, duration, or whether a guide enters the water with you. I would treat the stop as a chance to swim and explore at your own pace, not as a formal marine-life lesson. If you need a highly structured snorkelling program, you should ask the provider for more detail before paying.

Bring your own towel because towels are not included. You should also come prepared for a wet outing, with swimwear and sun protection. These are sensible basics for any boat trip, but they matter more here because the cruise includes both water time and a visit to the island.

The snorkelling stop also breaks up the day nicely. A morning spent only looking for dolphins could feel slow if the animals stay distant. Adding time in the water gives you something active to do and makes the cruise less dependent on one wildlife encounter.

Lunch beside Crystal Rock

Lunch is served onboard near Crystal Rock. This is one of the strongest features of the day because the setting adds real character to a meal that could otherwise feel like standard boat catering. From this part of the lagoon, you can look toward the Black River mountain range while eating on the water.

The meal is a barbecue prepared by the crew, and lunch is included in the listed price. Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and bottled water are also included. That package reduces the small onboard expenses that often make boat trips feel less affordable than they first appear.

The food receives especially warm praise in one account, which describes the meal as very good and the overall service as friendly and cheerful. The crew of the catamaran Océane was singled out for its atmosphere, service, smiles, and cooking. I would not assume the exact menu in advance, since no dishes are specified, but the available information points to the meal being more than a basic snack.

Eating onboard also keeps the day moving. You do not lose time going ashore for lunch, and you get to enjoy the view while the crew handles the meal. The tradeoff is that a boat barbecue is casual. You should expect a shared cruise meal rather than a restaurant experience with a choice of courses.

Crystal Rock is a striking focal point in the lagoon, and the surrounding view toward the Black River mountains gives the lunch stop much of its appeal. If you care about photographs, this should be a useful time to capture the boat, rock, open water, and mountains together.

Time on Ile aux Benitiers

The cruise also includes a visit to Ile aux Benitiers, usually called Bénitiers Island. The listed stop lasts about 20 minutes, so you should not expect a long island exploration. This is a brief visit that adds variety to the day rather than a full cultural or walking tour.

The island stop gives you a chance to get off the boat and experience a different setting after the sailing, meal, and snorkelling. Because the time is short, I would keep your expectations focused. You may have enough time to look around, take photographs, and enjoy the shore, but not enough for a detailed exploration.

The schedule places the island visit after the dolphin-watching and snorkelling portions, with a return to the meeting point around 3:30 p.m. Exact timing can shift with conditions. If you are planning an evening reservation, leave some breathing room.

This is also where the tour’s format becomes clear. You are not signing up for a slow island stay with hours on the beach. You are signing up for a broad west coast sampler: bay, wildlife search, water activity, barbecue, rock formation, mountain views, and a short island stop.

What the $90.59 price really covers

At $90.59 per person, this cruise sits in the middle range for a full shared boat day. The value comes from the number of inclusions: six hours of sailing, lunch, bottled water, soda, alcoholic beverages, and snorkelling equipment.

You are paying for a complete outing rather than only transport to Bénitiers Island. That matters because buying food and drinks separately on a boat can quickly add to the bill. The included barbecue and beverages make the price easier to justify, especially if you plan to spend most of the day at sea anyway.

The price is less convincing if your only goal is to reach the island. The island visit is short, and the dolphin encounter is uncertain. If you want a guaranteed island beach day, this may not be the best use of your money. If you want a varied marine excursion with food and drinks handled for you, the package is stronger.

The cruise is booked, on average, about 21 days before departure. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed, especially because confirmation is subject to availability. You receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, also subject to availability.

The crew, mood, and boat-day atmosphere

The most praised part of the experience is the crew. A positive account describes the staff as welcoming, attentive, and cheerful, with the atmosphere onboard adding to the pleasure of the day. That is important on a shared cruise. Even a beautiful route can feel flat if the crew is distant or disorganized.

The catamaran Océane is specifically praised for its atmosphere and service. Since boat assignments can sometimes vary, I would confirm the vessel if that name matters to you. The useful point is that the human side of the trip appears to be a strength.

At the same time, your enjoyment will depend partly on your own expectations. The day may feel slow if the dolphins stay away and the crew does not provide much commentary. One negative account describes exactly that problem, despite finding the crew kind. If you want constant narration, multiple activities, or a packed schedule, this may feel too loose.

I see the cruise as best for people who enjoy the simple rhythm of a boat day. You sail, watch the water, swim, eat, visit an island, and return. The program has several elements, but it does not promise a lecture, a guided nature lesson, or nonstop entertainment.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want an easy west coast day with the main costs paid upfront. The included lunch and drinks are especially useful for anyone who does not want to organize food while away from shore.

It also suits people who want several highlights in one booking. You can try snorkelling, look for dolphins, see Crystal Rock, view the Black River mountains, and visit Bénitiers Island without arranging separate excursions.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings. You should also consider another option if you dislike shared boats, want a long stay on the island, or prefer a tightly timed tour with detailed explanations throughout the day.

Most people can participate, according to the available tour information. No special access details are provided, so you should contact the provider directly if you have mobility, medical, or other participation concerns.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the option of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Because no hotel transfer is included, confirm how you will reach Le Morne Anglers’ Club before booking. Also remember to bring a towel. Lunch, drinks, bottled water, and snorkelling equipment are supplied, so those items do not need to be purchased separately.

Should you book the Bénitiers Island catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced shared sea day with a friendly crew, barbecue lunch, drinks, snorkelling, and several west coast sights in one outing. The views near Crystal Rock and the Black River mountains give the meal a memorable setting, and a close dolphin sighting could make the day special.

Do not book it solely for dolphins or a long island stay. Those are the two areas where expectations can run ahead of reality. The most sensible approach is to see the dolphins as a bonus and the island as a short stop within a wider catamaran experience.

At $90.59, I think the cruise offers fair value for a six-hour outing with food, drinks, and equipment included. Just arrange your own transport, pack a towel, allow for weather changes, and accept that the sea decides how much wildlife you see.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours. It starts at 9:30 a.m. and is scheduled to return to the meeting point around 3:30 p.m.

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is Le Morne Anglers’ Club on Colonel Dean Avenue in Grande Riviere Noire, Mauritius.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Transfers are not included, so you must make your own way to Le Morne Anglers’ Club.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served onboard near Crystal Rock.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. The cruise includes alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and soda or soft drinks.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is included.

Does the cruise guarantee a dolphin sighting?

No. The cruise travels to Tamarin Bay to look for dolphins, but sightings and the distance the boat can travel depend on conditions and the animals’ location.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in a different date or a full refund.