Snorkeling with Dolphins in Mauritius: Speedboat & Island Lunch

Dolphins in the bay, then a white-sand island where lunch waits

A full-day snorkeling trip from Mauritius combines dolphin watching and swimming in Tamarin Bay with a stop at Île aux Bénitiers for lunch and more time in the water. The speedboat carries all snorkeling gear, life jackets and a crew trained to help; lunch with drinks is served on the island. Guides speak English, Spanish, French and Arabic, so you follow the commentary in your language.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphins, island lunch, and beach stroll

• Meet at Tamarin beach
• Stroll on Tamarin beach
• Watch and snorkel with dolphins
• Swim near the crystal rock
• Visit Île aux Bénitiers island
• Lunch and drinks on the island
• Swim and snorkel in lagoon
• View UNESCO historical mountain
• Short walk on Tamarin beach

The Experience

The day starts on Tamarin Beach, where you board a speedboat with a small group and head into the bay to find dolphins. When they appear, you enter the water with snorkeling equipment already on board—no need to bring your own or rent separately. The crew stays close and helps anyone new to the gear. After time in the water with the dolphins, the boat moves to Crystal Rock, a formation you can swim out to and touch if the group wants to.

By mid-morning you're heading to Île aux Bénitiers, a small island with white sand and a protected lagoon. Lunch—grilled meat, salad and drinks—is served here, and you can swim or snorkel again in the shallower water around the island. The crew handles the food and keeps an eye on the group. Late afternoon, you head back to Tamarin Beach, where a short walk gets you to your transport. The whole trip runs about seven hours from start to finish.

Life jackets are available for anyone who wants one, and the boat is built for safety on the water. The crew speaks multiple languages and knows the bay well enough to find dolphins most days, though sightings are never guaranteed—that's part of what makes the trip real. Scenery includes mountains visible from the water, the lagoon itself and the island's vegetation, but the focus stays on what you're doing in the water, not on what you're looking at from the boat.

What’s included

• All snorkeling equipment.
• life jackets.
• lunch with grilled meat and salad.
• drinks throughout the day.
• crew assistance and guidance in the water.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vacances Oh Soleil

Is this one for you?Book this trip if you want to snorkel with dolphins and understand the guide's commentary—the crew speaks your language, so you follow what's happening without translation delays or guessing at what the crew is saying.

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Top questions

Do I need to know how to snorkel before I book this trip?

No. All snorkeling equipment is provided on the boat, and the crew helps anyone using it for the first time. Life jackets are available if you want one, and you can stay in the water as long as you're comfortable.

What exactly happens when we find the dolphins?

When dolphins appear in Tamarin Bay, you put on snorkeling gear and enter the water to swim near them in their natural habitat. The crew stays with the group and watches for safety. Time in the water depends on how long the dolphins stay in the area.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary restrictions?

Yes, lunch with drinks is included and served on Île aux Bénitiers. The meal is grilled meat and salad. Dietary restrictions should be mentioned when you book so the crew can plan accordingly.

What's the difference between Tamarin Bay and Île aux Bénitiers—do I snorkel at both?

Tamarin Bay is where you watch and swim with dolphins in open water. Île aux Bénitiers is a shallow lagoon around an island where you can snorkel again after lunch in calmer, clearer water closer to the shore.

How long is the boat ride, and will I get seasick?

The full trip is about seven hours, but most of that is time spent in the water or on the island. The speedboat moves between stops, and the bay is generally calmer in the morning. If you're prone to seasickness, mention it when booking so the crew can advise you.

What languages does the guide speak?

The crew speaks English, Spanish, French, Arabic and two additional languages, so you can follow the commentary and ask questions in your own language.