‘Pieds dans l’eau’: Snorkel & have Lunch on ‘Benitier island

A reef, a barbecue, and a private boat. This three-hour outing pairs snorkelling at Crystal Rock with a sandy lunch on Île aux Bénitiers, making it a neat choice if you want sea time without giving up a proper meal. I like the private-group setup, and I like that you can choose seafood, chicken, or lamb before setting out. The main drawback is the short schedule: with only three hours, the outing leaves little room for a slow, unhurried beach day.

You meet at Le Morne public beach, in front of Emba Filao Restaurant, and head out with Lydia Boat Mauritius. The water is shallow around the island, the coral reef is close to shore, and drinks are included. You should still bring a towel, and you should know that the boat and island stops are not suitable for wheelchair users.

Five things worth knowing before you book

• Crystal Rock is the centerpiece: You stop near this famous coral formation for photos, swimming, and snorkelling.
• The lunch has real choice: Pick seafood with lobster, shrimp, and fish; chicken with sausages and fish; or lamb with sausages and chicken.
• You can collect sea urchins and oysters: Guides help you gather them from the water before lunch.
• The boat is private: Your group does not share the outing with a large crowd.
• Turtles and fish are possible highlights: One recent booking described swimming with turtles and fish, along with fresh, tasty food.
• The price includes drinks: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served with the island meal.

Starting at Le Morne public beach

The meeting point is in front of Emba Filao Restaurant at Le Morne public beach. That is useful because the location is clear and directly on the sand, but you will want to arrive ready for a boat departure rather than expecting a formal marina check-in.

If you are staying at the JW Marriott, Paradise, or Dinarobin hotels, Lydia Boat Mauritius can collect you directly by boat from the beach in front of your hotel. You need to mention this when booking so the pickup can be arranged.

The private format matters here. A three-hour sea outing can feel rushed when a large group is waiting for every person to board, eat, and move on. With a private group, you have a better chance of keeping the pace suited to your party. The supplied details do not give a maximum group size, so ask how many people your private boat will hold if that affects your decision.

The listed cost is $176 per person. That is not a cheap beach transfer, but it covers a private boat, a guided snorkelling stop, a visit to Crystal Rock, lunch, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. If you already planned to hire a boat and buy a seafood lunch separately, the package can make sense. If you only want a quick swim, the price may feel high for a three-hour outing.

Crystal Rock and the shallow reef

The first main stop is Crystal Rock, one of the best-known sights near Île aux Bénitiers. It is a large coral formation rising from the water, so the stop gives you a clear photo subject as well as a place to snorkel nearby.

The water around the front of the island is described as shallow, with coral reefs and tropical fish. That makes this a friendly setting for people with different levels of snorkelling confidence. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to appreciate a shallow reef, although you should be comfortable in open water and follow the guide’s instructions.

I like that the outing is not just a photo stop. You have time to swim, look at marine life, and collect oysters and sea urchins with the guides. That small task gives the morning a local, hands-on feel. It is more memorable than simply circling a rock, taking a picture, and moving on.

Still, keep expectations sensible. Marine life is never guaranteed at a precise spot, and the supplied details do not promise particular species or water conditions. One recent booking described swimming with turtles and fish, so those sightings are possible, but you should not treat them as fixed parts of the schedule.

Bring your own towel. A camera is not included, so you will need to provide your own if you want underwater or beach photographs. Use a waterproof case or another secure option, since the main appeal here is being in the water rather than standing on a dock.

Collecting oysters and sea urchins with the guides

The chance to collect oysters and sea urchins is one of the more distinctive parts of this trip. You enter the water with the guides and gather them together before heading to lunch.

This is a simple activity, but it changes the character of the outing. You are not only looking at the sea. You are taking part in a small coastal food tradition, then seeing the catch become part of the meal. For many people, that connection between reef, shore, and plate will be more interesting than a standard buffet lunch.

You should ask the guides how the oysters and sea urchins will be used if that matters to you. The information confirms that you collect them, but it does not specify exactly how much is gathered or how each item is prepared. Do not assume that the entire barbecue depends on your catch. The lunch menus already include set choices of seafood, meat, and fish.

This part also requires care. Sea urchins can be sharp, and the guides are there to show you what to do. Listen closely and avoid handling anything without direction. The experience is designed around participation, but it is still a marine setting, not a casual picnic in a swimming pool.

Lunch on Île aux Bénitiers

After the reef stop, the boat continues to Île aux Bénitiers for lunch. The island offers soft white sand, sea views, swimming, more snorkelling, and time to look at marine life before or after the meal.

The menu choice is a real advantage. You can select from three barbecue options:

• Seafood: lobster, shrimp, and fish
• Chicken: chicken, sausages, and fish
• Lamb: lamb, sausages, and chicken

All three menus come with garlic bread. Drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are included. You must tell the operator your menu preference when booking, and that is especially important if someone in your party does not eat seafood.

The seafood option will appeal to anyone who wants a classic Mauritius beach lunch, but the other menus make the outing easier to share with a mixed group. A non-seafood eater does not have to sit out while everyone else eats lobster and shrimp. The chicken and lamb choices also include other meats, so check the exact combination before booking if you have dietary restrictions.

One recent booking praised the food as fresh and tasty, which is encouraging for an outing where lunch is a major part of the price. You should still remember that a beach barbecue is a relaxed outdoor meal, not a restaurant service. The setting and social atmosphere are part of what you pay for.

The three-hour duration includes the boat ride, Crystal Rock, snorkelling, collecting sea life, lunch, and time on the island. That is enough for a satisfying taste of the area, but not enough for a full day of lingering on the sand. If you want long swimming sessions, extended snorkelling, and a slow lunch, a longer charter would suit you better.

Swimming, turtles, and tropical fish

Île aux Bénitiers is presented as a good snorkelling area because the water is shallow and coral reefs sit close to shore. You may see colorful tropical fish, and one recent booking specifically reported swimming with turtles and fish.

That report gives you a useful picture of the outing’s best possible moment: warm water, a white-sand island, fish below you, and the chance of a turtle passing through. It also explains why the trip works for a broad range of snorkellers. You can stay near shallow water rather than needing an advanced open-water excursion.

The information does not state that snorkelling equipment is included, so confirm what the boat supplies before you go. It does confirm guided snorkelling around Crystal Rock and the island reef, but it does not list masks, fins, or flotation equipment among the inclusions.

You should also plan around the weather and sea conditions. No exact conditions are promised, and the water can affect visibility and comfort. The reef is the main attraction, so a clear day will help you get more from the snorkelling portion.

Why the private boat changes the value

A private boat is the strongest reason to consider this outing instead of a cheaper shared cruise. Your group can enjoy the reef and island without being folded into a large public schedule.

That does not automatically make the $176 price a bargain. Value depends on how many people are in your party and how much you care about privacy. For a couple or small group splitting the cost, the price may feel worthwhile because it combines transport, a guide, lunch, drinks, and a personal boat setting. For one person booking alone, the per-person charge is harder to justify.

The private format also suits families and groups with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can stay in shallow water, and everyone can meet for lunch. The details do not promise special equipment or a customized route, so do not book expecting a fully tailored charter beyond the stated stops.

English and French are available. That helps if you want clear instructions during snorkelling and collecting oysters or sea urchins. The guides’ names are not provided, but the boat operator is Lydia Boat Mauritius.

What to bring and what to arrange early

Keep your packing simple:

• Towel
• Swimsuit
• Camera, if you want photos
• Any personal items you need for a short outing

A towel is specifically listed as something to bring, and a camera is not included. You should also state your barbecue preference at the time of booking. If you do not eat seafood, request the chicken or lamb option in advance rather than waiting until lunch.

The outing is not suitable for wheelchair users. The meeting point is on the beach, and the activity includes boarding a boat, swimming, snorkelling, and moving around a sandy island. If mobility is a concern, ask Lydia Boat Mauritius directly before paying.

The cancellation terms are fairly flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Who will enjoy this three-hour outing

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several Mauritius highlights in one compact package. You get a private boat, a famous reef formation, snorkelling, a hands-on sea-collecting activity, and a barbecue on a white-sand island.

It is particularly suited to:

• Couples wanting a private sea outing
• Small groups that value their own boat
• Families comfortable with swimming and beach activities
• Seafood lovers
• Mixed groups needing chicken or lamb options
• Snorkellers who prefer shallow water
• People staying near Le Morne

I would hesitate if you want a long beach day, a serious snorkelling expedition, or a fully scheduled wildlife tour. The schedule is short, and sightings such as turtles are possible rather than guaranteed. You should also compare the $176 price with other private boat options if your main goal is simply getting to the water.

Should you book Lydia Boat Mauritius?

Book it if the combination matters to you: private boat, Crystal Rock, shallow-water snorkelling, and a barbecue on Île aux Bénitiers. The fresh seafood, included drinks, and choice of meat menus give the price practical value, while the private setup keeps the outing more personal than a standard shared cruise.

Skip it if you want to spend most of the day on the island or if you are looking for a low-cost swim. For a short, activity-packed taste of Mauritius’s west coast, though, this is a well-rounded choice. The strongest signs are the reported turtle and fish sightings, the attractive island setting, and the praise for fresh, tasty food.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You meet the guides in front of Emba Filao Restaurant at Le Morne public beach.

Can I be picked up from my hotel?

If you are staying at the JW Marriott, Paradise, or Dinarobin hotel, pickup can be arranged directly by boat from the beach in front of your hotel. You need to mention this when booking.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts three hours. Check availability for the starting time on your chosen date.

What barbecue menus are available?

You can choose seafood with lobster, shrimp, and fish; chicken with chicken, sausages, and fish; or lamb with lamb, sausages, and chicken. Each menu includes garlic bread.

Can I request a non-seafood meal?

Yes. You can request the chicken or lamb barbecue when booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. A camera is not included, so bring your own if you want photographs.