Black River catamaran tour Mauritius: Snorkel Bénitiers Island

Dolphins, coral reef, and a postcard island in one full day on the water

A full-day shared catamaran tour from Mauritius visits Tamarin Bay for dolphin watching, Black River lagoon for snorkeling a shallow reef, and Bénitiers Island for beach time. The boat sails with sails hoisted, the crew watches over snorkelers in the water, and lunch is a grilled fish and chicken BBQ with salads and fruit. English and French guides lead the tour. Seven hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Black River45m
2. Île aux Bénitiers1h

Catamaran tour with snorkeling and island visit

• Stop at Tamarin Bay to watch dolphins
• Snorkel at Black River lagoon reef
• View Bénitiers Rock from the boat
• Take fisherman’s boat to Bénitiers Island
• Relax and explore Bénitiers Island beach

The experience

The day starts in Tamarin Bay on the western coast, where spinner and bottlenose dolphins often move through the water. The catamaran idles and watches. If the pods are there, you see the acrobatics from the deck. The boat then heads toward Black River under full sail, and once in the lagoon you gear up to snorkel. The patch reef sits about two meters down, scattered with colorful fish, butterfly fish, trumpet fish and small crustaceans around coral outcrops on white sand. The crew stays alert in the water and ready to help if anyone needs it.

After Black River, the boat anchors near Bénitiers Rock, the limestone outcrop that appears on half the postcards sold in Mauritius: the water around it shifts between turquoise and deep blue depending on the light and the tide. A fisherman's boat ferries you to Bénitiers Island's sandy beaches, where you can lie in the sun or walk the shore. A few vendors sell straw hats, shell jewelry and sarongs. On a quiet day the beach can feel almost empty, though peak season brings a crowd.

Lunch is grilled fish and chicken, eggplants and garlic bread, pasta salad, rice salad, green salad and local seasonal fruit. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) flow throughout the day. The whole tour runs seven hours, and the boat is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• Snorkeling fins disinfected and provided onboard.
• grilled fish and chicken BBQ with eggplants, garlic bread, pasta salad, rice salad, green salad and local seasonal fruit.
• alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day.
• English and French-speaking guide.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full-day shared catamaran trip to Bénitiers island and Dolphin, from Black RiverGuide in English or French · 09:00

Excursion, pickup from hotel includedGuide in English or French · 09:00Van

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and French

Audio guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessible

Operated by Oceane Cruises Mauritius

Is this one for you?Seven hours on the water means you'll see dolphins, snorkel a reef, and explore an island in one trip, but you won't have time for a second full activity that same day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the chances of seeing dolphins on the Black River catamaran tour?

Spinner and bottlenose dolphins stay in the western coastline waters near Tamarin Bay, where the tour's first stop watches for them. The itinerary notes they might be in sight, but sightings depend on whether the pods are in the area that day. The crew knows the coastal waters well after 39 years of operations.

How deep is the snorkeling reef at Black River?

The patch reef at Black River sits about two meters deep, with colorful fish, butterfly fish, trumpet fish and small crustaceans around coral outcrops on white sand. Snorkeling fins are provided and disinfected onboard, and the crew watches swimmers and is ready to help.

What is Bénitiers Rock and why is it on so many postcards?

Bénitiers Rock is a limestone outcrop that stands over the turquoise lagoon and appears on countless Mauritian postcards. The boat anchors as close as possible depending on the tide, and a fisherman's boat ferries you to Bénitiers Island's beaches nearby, where you can photograph the rock and explore the shore.

What food and drinks are included in the full-day tour?

Lunch is a BBQ of grilled fish and chicken, grilled eggplants and garlic bread, pasta salad, rice salad, green salad and local seasonal fruit. A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served throughout the seven hours.

Do I need snorkeling experience for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Snorkeling fins are provided and disinfected onboard, and the crew stays alert in the water and ready to help anyone who needs assistance.