bamboo dolphin trip mauritius

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Mauritius Dolphin Swim

S wimming with wild dolphins is one of the most unique and popular activities in Mauritius. However finding the perfect excursion is not always easy. Mauritius Dolphin Swim is dedicated to helping you boo k your dream Mauritius dolphin experience. Unlike many countries, Mauritius does not allow dolphins in cap tivity. All of the experiences offered on this website involve swimming with wild, free dolphins in the open ocean.

There are a multitude of ways to experience swimming with wild dolphins in Mauritius, including combining the dolphin swim with whale watching , lunch on a tropical island, beach hopping, full-day tours, and much more. Both shared and private excursions are available depending on your preferences, and with any of our excursions you'll be able to book return hotel transfer.

Our goal is to offer you the largest selection of dolphin experiences on the island, while making the booking process secure, easy and quick. Have a look at our selection of tried-and-tested dolphin excursions and book your spot today!

Wild Dolphin Swim

Whale Watching

Benitiers Island

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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The travel blog for couples

We leave footprints and take nothing but memories and photos with us.

Our Private Dolphin Tour in Mauritius (An Honest Review)

Table of Contents

• 1 The most important facts about our dolphin tour: Organizational matters, schedule and price
• 2 Our experiences: This is how we experienced our sunrise dolphin tour in Mauritius
• 3 A comparison of our dolphin tours in Mauritius and Egypt
• 4 Conclusion: Is a dolphin tour in Mauritius worth it?
• 5 Related Articles

We love traveling the world, discovering new countries and having lots of great adventures. So the anticipation was huge when we booked our private dolphin tour in Mauritius. We imagined in advance how great this day and our blog article about it would be. But then, unfortunately, everything turned out differently than hoped. But let's start from the beginning...

The most important facts about our dolphin tour: Organizational matters, schedule and price

Due to the good reviews on the internet and the fact that we don't like mass tourism and mass processing, we decided for a private dolphin tour with the provider Vitamin Sea . The boat just for the two of us should cost 305,94€ including all service fees. So far, so good. We were willing to pay this price.

Contrary to the time given in the email (5:30 a.m.), we were supposed to be at the Vitamin Sea office in Black River on the west coast of Mauritius at 6:00 a.m . We were informed in advance of the adjusted time.

Our private dolphin tour included a total of three stops : (1st) First, as the agency promised on its website, we should watch and swim with dolphins for 60 to 90minutes . (2nd) Then we should go snorkeling at the "Natural Aquarium" snorkeling spot . (3rd) Finally, we should drive to Crystal Rock in the White Lagoon .

The snorkeling equipment could have been borrowed on board, we should bring towels with us. Since we both have the diving license, we also have our own ABC equipment, which we took with us on the trip. The price also included soft drinks on the boat and homemade banana bread.

For another 100€ they would have offered an underwater photography service . However, we had our own GoPro for the underwater shots as well as our digital SLR camera and M's smartphone with us.

We could have also booked a hotel transfer for 65-90€ (depending on the distance). But we ourselves traveled with a private taxi driver , who showed us a little bit of the west of the island after the dolphin tour. A full-day sightseeing trip with a private driver was cheaper in terms of value for money (103,44€/ 4800 rupees) than a pure taxi ride from A to B (70€). It should be noted that the distance between our hotel and the agency's office in Black River was just 15km each way.

According to the provider's website, the excursion should take about three hours. The languages ​​spoken by the crew were French, Creole and English.

In addition, the agency explicitly mentioned on its website that dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed because you are in the wild. Since we have already done several safaris in South Africa, Tanzania and India and knew the underwater world of Indonesia, Zanzibar and the Maldives, we were already fully aware of this. Nature is unpredictable and the animals do not wait for your visit. Either you are lucky or you are not. These circumstances were very familiar to us, after all, the dolphin encounters were to take place in the open sea and not in an aqua theme park in Florida.

Our experiences: This is how we experienced our sunrise dolphin tour in Mauritius

Our expectations of the dolphin tour

When we booked our dolphin tour in Mauritius, we assumed it would be similar to our whale shark tour in the Whale Shark National Park in the Maldives. Because on its website, the organizer Vitamin Sea promised that you could watch dolphins and swim with them for 60 to 90 minutes . So we imagined in advance how we would jump into the water with the dolphins and how they would circle around us the whole time . Of course we knew that the wild dolphin tour was going to take place in the open ocean. And of course we were aware that the animals were neither trained nor fed. But neither were the whale sharks in the Maldives and nevertheless we had this one whale shark in the water with us for quite a while. Of course we also knew that such a whale shark is basically not comparable with fast dolphins. Nevertheless, we carried this naive hope of a longer dolphin encounter in us, because the photos and videos on the Instagram channel of the tour provider looked so promising.

The truth about the dolphin tours in Mauritius

In the morning in the dark, at 6:00 a.m., we met our boat crew at the harbor in Black River and headed out to the open sea. It was really cold and windy and also very wet due to the high splashing water, which made us freeze even more. The sun had not yet risen, which could have warmed us. But none of that mattered to us, because the dolphins should compensate and reward us for the inconvenience soon enough. We drove around on the open sea for one or two hours until we discovered a large number of boats at one place. However, we did not stop there, but moved a bit further, because the 2-man crew had hoped to find other dolphins, which we should have just for ourselves. As such, this idea was very laudable. But because we didn't find any marine mammals there, we went back and joined the group of the other ten boats .

When our crew saw the elegant creatures swimming towards our boat, we should get our snorkeling equipment ready. At a signal we jumped into the sea, quickly put our heads under water and could see the marine mammals passing us very quickly. A few times they swam right past us, other times they were a little further away in the depths. Such a dolphin encounter lasted about 25-30 seconds. Since they swam by so extremely fast, you had absolutely no chance to follow them snorkeling. After the very brief encounter, we went back to the boat together with the guide and climbed back in via the ladder. Then we took off our ABC gear and the boat continued in the direction the dolphins were moving. After overtaking the dolphins quite a bit, the crew repositioned the boat in a suitable spot to intercept the animals. So the guide called "Jump" again and we jumped back to them in the sea for another 25-30 seconds. After another short underwater encounter, we headed back to the boat. We experienced this procedure a total of eight times on our tour. As fast as the dolphins came, they were unfortunately gone again. If we cut these short times together to a video, it looks of course so idyllic, as if we had the animals all the time around us just for us alone, which was not the case. It is not true that you swim with dolphins for 60 to 90 minutes or observe them for that long. False promises are suggested here on the provider's homepage. Most of the time you are busy looking for the animals, driving in their direction and intercepting them again. You may need a gross time of 60 to 90 minutes for this – that may be true. In our case, the pure net time with the animals in the water was 8x 25-30 seconds . All in all, it was a maximum of three to four minutes. Unfortunately, these moments passed so quickly that we couldn't really enjoy them. These fleeting moments were also far too short to really internalize and process them. Unfortunately, one cannot speak of magical moments here.

A total of eleven boats went in search of dolphins that day. Without exception, all providers behaved in the same way. None was more environmentally conscious or animal-friendly than the other. In the Google and TripAdvisor reviews, there is even talk of "hunting" or "driven hunt". We absolutely do not share this opinion. At no time did we corner, harass or chase the marine mammals. They moved much faster than the boats or the tourists swimming around.

The advantage of the private tour was that we could immediately jump into the water when the dolphins swam towards our boat. I.e. we had the animals to ourselves for a short time, since the boats left much distance to each other. On the group tours, all the tourists were crammed together in a pile on the boats and had to jump into the water as quickly as possible one after the other as the animals passed by. We can well imagine that the people on the group tours had even less of the dolphins than we did. Therefore, the idea of a private dolphin tour was already quite comfortable and exclusive.

For the sake of completeness, we would like to mention here that swimming with the dolphins was only one part of our boat tour with Vitamin Sea.

At the second stop we went to a snorkeling spot called "Natural Aquarium", but we didn't feel like snorkeling there because the spot didn't look so inviting. (Due to our great house reef on the Maldives, we were too spoiled with small Black Tips and turtles.) According to the provider's website, we could have seen shells, fish, starfish and corals there at the designated snorkeling spot.

Finally, we continued to Crystal Rock, a large rock in the White Lagoon. We circled it a few times by boat before finally heading back to the port.

Our insight about dolphin tours in Mauritius

The desire to swim with wild, untrained dolphins in the open ocean is generally a very difficult endeavor because the marine mammals pass you by so damn fast and don't stop for you either. (Why should they?!) Dolphins aren't snuggly whale sharks or dugongs. Dolphins are also not like eating turtles, as we have been able to observe them in the Maldives for a long time. That's just nature - and we are 100% aware of it. These natural conditions are independent of the provider. In the search for the dolphins, all eleven boats were the same, no company was more environmentally friendly or animal-friendly than the other (not even Vitamin Sea, as suggested to us on the Internet).

The following video was created from a total of eight water sessions of 25 to 30 seconds each:

A comparison of our dolphin tours in Mauritius and Egypt

As we were able to experience for ourselves, without exception, all dolphin tour operators in Mauritius tried to "intercept" dolphins swimming by in the open sea. However, since the marine mammals glided through the water much too quickly, this was basically a very difficult and strenuous undertaking.

In Egypt , on the other hand, there was a protected national park called Shaab Samadai ("Dolphin House"), where a large group of spinner dolphins lived in a horseshoe-shaped reef. It was their home, so to speak, to which they always returned. Due to the rush and to protect the animals, the Egyptian government has now strictly regulated the number of visitors there. Only 200 snorkelers and divers are allowed to stay there per day. In addition, the national park was divided into three zones. In the north, in Zone A, all human activity is prohibited to provide a sanctuary for the dolphins. Zone B is reserved for anyone who wants to snorkel with dolphins on the surface. In Zone C, on the other hand, only scuba divers are allowed to stay. However, even there it can happen that all 60 dolphins are "out" and you don't see a single one. In this case you can often find them at the other dolphin spot Shaab Marsa Alam.

However, the probability of being able to swim with dolphins in the open sea at all and having them circle around you for a longer time(!) is generally much higher in Egypt than on the west coast of Mauritius.

Conclusion: Is a dolphin tour in Mauritius worth it?

Dolphins are not turtles that you can watch comfortably while snorkeling. Dolphins are also not slow whale sharks that you also see swimming around you for a while. Even the Black Tips in the Maldives passed by much slower. But dolphins are just basically much too fast and much too shy. Therefore, we see our tour on Mauritius with mixed feelings and do not really know ourselves whether we would book this trip again. Even though the animal encounters were short and we couldn't really enjoy the moments, it was still a wonderful opportunity to get close to wild dolphins in the open sea.

We would definitely not recommend a private dolphin tour with Vitamin Sea due to the crew's disrespectful, embarrassing behavior towards us.

Addendum: We have removed the detailed, very negative review of Vitamin Sea from this post because it radiated too much negative energy in our blog. But we can tell you that the crew's behavior towards us was SO incredibly unacceptable that even the co-owner was shocked by our complaint email and refunded us the cost of the tour (except for the service fees). She even admitted that it was difficult to find good, trained staff in Mauritius. As a result, one of the two was not taken on by the company. They happily continue to advertise on Instagram using each other's faces, which we find very tactless and shameful. The experiences described above about the dolphin tour and the catastrophic, sometimes dangerous behavior of the crew towards us are unrelated to each other. Both aspects must therefore be considered separately. Human behavior can be controlled and trained, but animals' natural instincts are not.

Links and sources:

own experiences on site during the Whitsun holidays 2022

Vitamin Sea homepage

Find out more about Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa on Expedia.*

Find out more about Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa on Expedia.*

Our taxi driver & guide for guided sightseeing tours called Yoga: Car No Y633/ [email protected]/ Mobile: 002352504345

Note on our own behalf: We normally pay 100% of all trips and excursions ourselves. In this case, after our complaint, the money was subsequently refunded to us (except for the service fees) by Vitamin Sea. We have been to 34 or 35 countries around the world, but in no other country on this planet have we been treated as miserably as we were by the employees of Vitamin Sea.

* Some of our articles contain affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through them, we receive a small commission. Don't worry: this won't change the price for you. ( Why affiliate links? )

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Full-Day Dolphin Watching Cruise in Mauritius

• Look for the Tamarin Bay dolphins then indulge on Ile aux Benitiers island
• Crew help spot the dolphins and brief you on how to behave in the water
• Barbecue lunch features wine, beer, rum, soft drinks, salad, and dessert
• No need for a designated driver: Tour includes 2-way hotel transfers
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Professional guide
• Snorkelling Equipments
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Please Send Us Your Pickup Location.(Hotel Name)
• Cruise Pirs Port Louis Quay 2, RFWV+XRH Terminal II, Port Louis, Mauritius
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
• Minimum age is 18 years
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
• Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
• Most travelers can participate
• Pickup starts: 2 hours before Departure
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Crystal Rock

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Full-Day Dolphin Watching Cruise in Mauritius provided by Eco Holidays Mauritius

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Swimming With Dolphins in Mauritius

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With crystal-clear water and offshore islands, boat trips are one of the best activities in Mauritius. The temperate Indian Ocean that surrounds Mauritius attracts an array of sea life – from colorful tropical fish to dolphins and whales.

With numerous Mauritius tours available, it can be difficult to choose which one to take. After careful consideration, we opted for a full-day excursion that featured the unique experience of swimming with dolphins in Mauritius.

Mauritius Cruise: Swimming with Dolphins, Snorkeling, BBQ Lunch

Before we started researching tours, we were mostly interested in simply seeing wild dolphins in Mauritius. At first, we considered just taking a bus from Flic en Flac Beach down to Tamarin, Mauritius where dolphins are often spotted early in the morning.

However, when we discovered that tours offer the chance to swim with dolphins in Mauritius, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

We joined a popular Mauritius tour that included swimming with dolphins, snorkeling on the Mauritius Outer Reef, seeing the famous Crystal Rock and feasting on an island BBQ lunch. Find out more about booking this tour!

Mauritius Dolphins

Pods of dolphins – both Bottleneck and Spinner – are often spotted on the west coast of Mauritius in the area around Black River. The Black River District – or Riviere Noire – extends from the capital city of Port Louis in the north to the Le Morne peninsula in the south.

Dolphin Watching Mauritius: Where and When

Tamarin Bay, Mauritius is often frequented by pods of dolphins. The best time to see dolphins in Mauritius is early in the morning. After spending the night in the deep sea in search of food, the dolphins return to the shore to rest and play.

Dolphin Tour Mauritius: Our Experience and Review

Before embarking on our sea journey, we were slightly skeptical of the day’s events. Was our tour really a chance encounter with dolphins? Would we really swim with them? And, was it worth booking a full day tour with more snorkeling and lunch? Keep reading to find out how our day went – or book this tour now!

Tamarin Bay: Swimming With Dolphins Mauritius

Our boat trip departed from Flic en Flac Beach, where we happened to be staying. From the beach, it’s just a short trip to Tamarin Bay. When we arrived, we were slightly dismayed to see about 15 other boats already there; surely the dolphins would be scared off by all the commotion. Snorkelers were already bobbing in the water and everyone was wide-eyed, scanning the surface for dolphin fins.

When a pod of dolphins surfaced, it was a mad dash – as all the boats and swimmers angled toward them. When the dolphins disappeared into deeper water, everything came to a halt again. Only a certain number of swimmers are allowed in the water at one time – so as one of the last boats to arrive, we had to wait our turn. We watched the somewhat baffling scene from the boat for about a half hour – savoring the few moments when we were lucky enough to have the dolphins surface right next to us.

Mauritius Dolphin Encounter

Once it was our turn to jump into the water, we were given clear instructions on what we were allowed – and not allowed – to do. Then, the captain positioned us where he thought the pod would swim and gave the command: Go! Now! Jump! Swim! In all the excitement, I ended up flailing around with a mouth full of seawater.

Rather than frantically racing after the too-quick-for-me mammals, I opted for a more relaxed approach. I simply floated in the water near our boat looking down through the mask, which was much more pleasant than trying to chase dolphins!

As luck would have it, the pod of dolphins swam in deep water right below our boat. I watched them playfully swim and spin – and then circle back even closer, checking me out as they gracefully zipped through the water.

Snorkeling Mauritius

Leaving Tamarin Bay, we motored to the Outer Reef in search of a secluded snorkeling spot. Being away from the crowds, we enjoyed a relaxing swim. Large, protruding reefs provided both shelter and feeding grounds to an abundance of exotic tropical fish.

We saw a variety of trumpet fish; some long and skinny with needle-like stingers and others that were thicker with propeller-like fins. An entire family of small squid – highlighted in bright neon colors – floated right by us. A school of black fish swam so tightly together they looked like a massive shadow moving in rhythm with the current.

As we swam closer to the reef, we could see the fish being pulled and pushed with the strong, crashing waves. It has been a cloudy morning, but when the sun broke through, the reef lit up in a rainbow of colors.

Crystal Rock Mauritius

Before heading to the sandy shores of Benitiers Island, we made a second snorkel stop at the famous Mauritius Crystal Rock. The exposed coral head sits alone in the vast sea – and is one of the most iconic sights in Mauritius. Snorkeling at Crystal Coral Rock proved to be less impressive than our first stop – with only a few fish feeding and several eels hiding in the shadows – but worth it, nonetheless.

Benitiers Island Beach Lunch

Benitiers Island – or Ile aux Benitiers – is a relatively flat island along the south-western coast of Mauritius. A popular stop for Mauritius boat tours, we were not the only visitors. Tented picnic tables were set up along the shore and boats were anchored in the shallow sandbar.

From our boat, coolers of food were brought ashore and our captain became our chef. He grilled up tuna, chicken, sausage, rice, garlic bread and even banana flambe. The drink choices were just as plentiful (and free flowing!) with options of Mauritius Coffee (which is local rum and Coke), locally brewed Phoenix beer and wine.

Swimming With Dolphins Experience: Is it OK?

Before we set off on our adventure, two questions kept coming to mind. First, is it safe to swim with wild dolphins? And, second, is swimming with dolphins cruel or unethical?

We never felt unsafe on our Mauritius dolphin cruise. While swimming with the dolphins in Tamarin Bay, we noted that all the boat captains kept a close watch on the swimmers – ensuring they were following the rules and not in need of assistance.

Honestly, we were slightly overwhelmed by the sheer number of boats in the bay – and a little taken back by how some swimmers so aggressively chased after the dolphins (not that they ever had a chance of catching up!). In hindsight, we wonder if a private Mauritius dolphin trip (where we could have set the time to be one of the first boats to arrive in the bay) would have been worth the extra money. Learn more about booking a private trip!

While we can not be sure if our presence in any way threatened the dolphins, they seemed to be more playful than afraid. And, although they are wild and free to roam the sea, the pod kept circling back to the swimmers and boats – spinning and twirling as they swam.

Looking for more Mauritius tips?! Check out our list of the Most Amazing Things To Do in Mauritius !

More Mauritius Excursions

Mauritius dolphin excursions are not the only boat trips on the island. Visitors have many choices when it comes to setting sail into the Indian Ocean!

Whale Watching Mauritius

Both Humpback and Sperm Whales live in the water surrounding Mauritius. Join a boat excursion that seeks out whales in Mauritius – and gets close enough to see these massive creatures (but not too close!). Find out more!

Top Tip : Go on a combined trip! Go swimming with the dolphins in Mauritius, then head further out for Whale Watching. Get the Details!!

Catamaran Mauritius

Set sail on a catamaran journey to nearby islands and enjoy a full-day adventure. Check out this highly-rated tour to Ile aux Cerfs by catamaran!

Diving Mauritius

Search for turtles and discover shipwrecks while scuba diving in Mauritius! Even beginners can experience the underwater world with formal instruction and two dives. Book your spot!

Top Tip : Experienced divers can skip the class and go straight out to sea! Book it now!

Start planning your trip to Mauritius ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides page !

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5 Best Places To Swim With Dolphins In Mauritius

Travelers flock to this idyllic island nation to enjoy the year-round sun, the gorgeous beaches, the fantastic food, and the friendly people. But a unique opportunity can also be had here: a chance to swim with dolphins.

With a bit of advanced planning, you can get out there, swim with dolphins, and have a fantastic experience.

A tour we think you'll love

Take a look at some of the things you should know to plan your bucket list experience swimming with dolphins.

What Are The Species You Can See When You Swim With Dolphins In Mauritius?

• Bottlenose – the larger of the two. Can weigh up to 650 kg (1433 pounds)
• Spinner – The smaller of the two. Can weigh as much as 80 kg (177 pounds).

You will never see both species occupy an area of water simultaneously. For example, while swimming with dolphins, you may see a clever Bottlenose pod splashing and playing in the bay. Still, the Spinner dolphin pod will wait in the deep water. Likewise, when you see Spinner dolphins playing and having a good time in the bay, the Bottlenose dolphins stay in the deep water.

Bottlenose Dolphin in Mauritius

Spinner Dolphin in Mauritius

Have Your Best Swim Ever With This Amazing Experience

Many luxury hotels worldwide provide a chance to step into the pool and pat a captured dolphin on the head and call that “swimming with dolphins.” Mauritius is one of the few places where you can get in the water and go swimming with dolphins in the wild!

Experienced guides know the best places to take their guests to swim with dolphins. This is not a made-for-tourist experience in a captive aquarium. These are wild dolphins coming out to play. This is a truly magical opportunity to swim with dolphins.

What Are Some Things To Know About Swimming With Dolphins Procedure?

When you book an excursion to swim with dolphins, your guide will give you instructions on the proper dolphins’ procedures. Here are a few things to expect:

• Don’t splash as you enter the water. It may scare them away.
• Your guide will tell you how, where, or if you are allowed to touch them. Listen carefully!
• Never touch the top of the head, the snout, eyes, or blowhole.
• Their skin is sensitive. Be careful not to scratch them with your fingernails.
• Always be mindful of your surroundings.

Swim With Dolphins On The Black River

The Black River, or Grande Riviere Noire, is a 45-minute drive from Port Louis. Scheduled charters and private tours will give you a chance to slide off the boat and into the water and swim with dolphins.

Tours are led by experienced local guides who know where to go. In addition, guides are well trained in proper safety procedures for their guests. Schedule your tour for the early morning for the best experience.

Swim With Dolphins In Mauritius On Tamarin Bay

Book a private catamaran tour or join a scheduled charter for this adventure in Tamarin Bay. Your guide will provide everything you need for a safe and fun time to swim with dolphins.

As your boat arrives in the bay, your guide will begin to look for the tell-tale signs of an approaching pod of dolphins. Once they are spotted, guides will instruct you to get into the water gently, without splashing, so you can interact with them.

Many tour operators are making this trip, so you may have to wait as other guests spend time swimming in the water. For the best experience, you should book a private guided catamaran. With a private guide, you will customize your trip to meet your needs.

What If You Are Not Comfortable Getting Into The Water And Swimming With Dolphins?

If getting into the water to interact with the dolphins is not your cup of tea, you can still have an amazing experience from the boat.

Experienced local guides are trained to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for their guests, both in and out of the water. If staying on the boat sounds best to you, there are still opportunities to watch for dolphins, with a guide who will try to get as close to the dolphins as possible. It would be best to work with a private guide instead of a scheduled charter to plan the best experience for you.

Now It’s Your Turn To Get Out There And Swim With Dolphins!

We would like to get you out there on the water and swimming with dolphins in Mauritius. So call or go online today, so we can plan the best tour to swim with dolphins for you!

Private Full Day Cruise to Ilot Gabriel, Flat Island and Gunners Coin

Escape the crowds on this private cruise! These glorious trips will take you to Ilot Gabriel for an unforgettable sailing experience. Spot whales and lots of other creatures in their natural habitat, swim in a secluded lagoon and stay aboard for lunch on this full-day cruising adventure.

Overnight experience on a luxurious Nautitech 40

Set sail for an overnight adventure on our beautiful catamaran - Nautitech 40 Open. Admire magnificent views of the Mauritian coastline and the glorious sunset, for which the west coast of the island is famous for.

This experience should allow you to discover Mauritius from another angle...

Luxury North cruise to Ilot Gabriel, Flat Island & Gunner's Coin

Explore the beauty of the far north seas onboard our Lagoon 380 in small group. The Catamaran will set anchor in an amazing lagoon of Ilot Gabriel, you will get to disembark on Flat island where you can swim and snorkel before lunch is served on board. Before the day ends, the adventure will not be completed unless you experience the crystal clear waters of the natural aquarium.

Full-Day Cruise on a shared basis to Ile aux Cerfs from South East Coast

Embark on a dream Catamaran cruise and experience sailing at its best! Experience a day of being relaxed and refreshed. You deserve it!

Dolphin Encounter

Swimming with Dolphins Mauritius, a paradisiac island where you will be able to make your dreams of observing dolphins in their natural environment come true. Destination Soleil can make this dream even more beautiful.

Destination Soleil makes it possible for you to swim with the dolphins and under the supervision of professionals. Swim with the dolphins, will be done in the largest respect of these splendid marine mammals, their environment and their daily living habits.

Dolphin Encounter -2h Excursions – West Coast Mauritius

A unique experience: swimming with the dolphins in their natural environment.

Once you get on board of any of our boats, our skippers will do a briefing on the experience you are going to live.

The briefing will also include such aspects as:

Type of dolphins that you will encounter

Their habits

Guidelines for Sustainable Dolphin watching

Security measures on our boats

Swimming procedures

Then you will be off for two wonderful hours in the open sea

• Euro €
• British Pounds Sterling £
• United States Dollars $

Exclusive-Private Swim With Dolphins - 2.5 Hours

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Private Swim With Dolphins Trip - Overview

Get yourself this private activity and plunge into the remarkable world of these incredible aquatic mammals. You will enjoy this deep sense of relaxation and make lifelong memories with your loved ones.

Explore the spectacular lives of these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat with this unique activity. Immerse yourself in the adventure of a lifetime and swim with dolphins in crystal clear waters surrounding the paradise island of Mauritius.

Swimming with dolphins offers a rewarding, educational, therapeutic and amazing experience for everyone!

As part of this package you will enjoy:

• Exclusive and Private speed boat trip for up to 6 passengers
• Share a unique and lifetime experience your favourite people
• 2 and a half hours of pure sea bliss with the unique opportunity of seeing marine animals from up close
• Cruising along the South West Coast of Mauritius
• Discover the magnificent scenery of mountains, beach and rich blue ocean
• A thrilling speed boat ride
• An exhilarating experience swimming with dolphins
• Snorkelling in the lagoon

Private swim With Dolphins Trip Includes:

• Whole boat exclusivity for up to 6 people
• 2 ½ hours at sea on a private boat
• Cruising along the west coast on a speed boat
• Swimming with the dolphins in their natural surroundings
• Refreshments offered on board - Soft Drinks & Water
• Life jackets provided
• Snorkelling equipment

Transport is available for an additional supplement and will include pick up and drop off from any hotel / place of accommodation in Mauritius.

You can choose from a selection of vehicles types:

All drivers speak fluent English and French (Upon special request we can organize drivers who speak additional languages). The drivers, citizens of Mauritius, will be happy to provide you with information about Mauritius and each of its sights.

All drivers are very professional, time efficient and friendly. There is high emphasis on being always on time and providing reliable devoted service to customers.

The Jetty Road, Black River,  South West Region

Private swim With Dolphins - Once in a lifetime Activity

A unique experience swimming with dolphins in their natural surroundings creating memories with your favourite people to last for a lifetime!

Swimming with dolphins is an incredibly moving experience which will bring you into contact with strikingly beautiful scenery, unspoiled landscapes and wonderful marine animals. Imagine having a boat to yourself with only the people you love the most onboard, about to experience a unique feeling while swimming with dolphins.

A moment to bond: Experiences like swimming with dolphins are probably the ones which mark us forever. The best way to make it more memorable is by sharing it with people who matter to us. Live this unforgettable moment together and feel this mutual happiness and sense of peace this trip will provide you with. This trip is just for you and your loved ones!

Your Speedy Ride: You will get on board a speed boat to take you on this beautiful journey to meet your favourite sea animal, the dolphins. Get comfortable, put your life jackets on and get ready for a thrilling speed boat ride. Your skippers will tell you all you need to know about how the day will unfold. They will also gladly brief you on the dolphins, guidelines for sustainable dolphin watching, security measures on the boat and the swimming with dolphins procedures.

Swim with the dolphins: The west coast is particularly renowned for whales and dolphin watching. As part of this package you will do more than just watch them, you will get to swim amongst the friendly dolphins. Swimming with dolphins is an incredibly moving experience which will bring you into contact with strikingly beautiful scenery, unspoiled landscapes and wonderful animals. Plunge into the remarkable world of these marine mammals and come face to face with the dolphins. Unlike many other dolphin facilities that limit a swim with dolphins to pools or shallow water encounters, this one offers you the unique opportunity to enter the dolphins’ natural environment and enjoy an encounter with the dolphins in the open sea for 2.5 hours!

Complimentary refreshments & Cruising back: You will be provided with water and soft drinks on the boat. After a nice swim, you would want to gulp something other than salty sea water. The skippers will be glad to tend you a bottle of water or soft drink to quench your thirst. Get back onboard, settle down with your drink and sip away happily thinking of your most recent encounter. If you are lucky enough, your newly found friends might even swim along the boat while you are on your way back. You will be heading back to the departure point where your journey will end, on a dolphin-tastic note!

A little information about Dolphins in Mauritius:

Dolphins are one of the most fantastic creatures that live in the ocean. The dolphins - cheerful and playful, symbol of intelligence and grace.

Dolphins live in pods of around 20 individuals or more and can be observed swimming casually from Tamarin (on the west coast of Mauritius) on their way to the deep sea off the coast of le Morne peninsula, early in the morning.

The Dolphins, the Bottlenose Dolphin and the Spinner Dolphin, have made the West Coast of Mauritius a place for them to rest and sleep before going to the deep sea for their fishing.

The Bottlenose Dolphin is one of the most common and well-known dolphins. Bottlenose Dolphins are Grey in color and can be between 2 and 4 meters (6.6 and 13 ft) long, and weigh between 150 and 650 kilograms (330 and 1,400 lb). Bottlenose Dolphins live in groups called pods that typically are of 15 dolphins, but it is also possible to find groups of over 100 or even occasionally over 1000 dolphins. Their diet consists mainly of small fish.

The Spinner Dolphin is dark gray, with darker patches in the tail stock, back and throat. Usually it has creamy-white patch on the belly though this varies considerably. The beak is distinctively long and thin, with a dark tip. The fins too are lengthy for dolphins of this size. Adults have varied in size from 129 cm to 235 cm and weight from 23 kg to 78 kg. The gestation period is 10 months. Individuals reach maturity at 4-7 years (females) and 7-10 years (males). Longevity is unknown. Spinners congregate in groups that vary from just a few dolphins to great schools numbering in the thousands.

Lunch box/ snacks

Spare clothes

Sunscreen lotion for sun protection

Swimsuits (already on)

• Snorkelling equipment is available onboard.
• This trip is very popular, so please make sure to book this activity enough time in advance.
• Note: there is a guarantee of 90% that you will see the Dolphins, but if that is not the case, there will be no money refund
• This trip is done on speed boats , as it is much easier to look for the dolphins in comparison to catamarans which take much more time to arrive at the Dolphins sites. With a catamaran you will have less time to spend with the dolphins and more time will be spent on the journey there and back.

Please note that:

• Participants must arrive at least 15 mins before departure time.
• All clients must fill in and sign a Disclaimer Form before participating in this activity.
• This trip is not recommended for pregnant women.
• Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
• Participants have to wear a life vest at all times.
• The management reserves the right to cancel any reservation if bad weather prevails, whereby safety of clients would be at stake.

Important Details to Submit

In order to process your booking, client MUST provide the following details at the comment box during the order process:

• Name of each participant as per the passports

Booking Attributes

1 Select Attributes

2 Choose Booking Option

Booking for specific date

When booking for a specific date, you will be asked to enter your preferred date for the activity, as part of the order process. This option will entitle you to reserve your place for this activity on a specific preferred time and date that best suits you, provided that you confirm the availability with one of Mauritius Attractions’ agents firsthand. Please note that in case you order any activity which takes more than 1 day, the preferred date represents the date on which you would like to start the activity.

Open / Gift Voucher

By ordering an Open Voucher you will be able to choose your preferred date for this activity during a later stage (when you already have full knowledge of the schedule for your trip) and not during the order process. This way you benefit maximum flexibility regarding the date of the desired activity. The open voucher can be used to go on this specific activity during a period of 3 months from the date of its purchase. To learn more about the option of an open voucher, please read our Order & Payment Methods page.

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• Dolphin Swimming and Whale Watching
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Recommended Experiences in Mauritius

South of Mauritius: Quad Bike Tour

Discover the incredible scenery of South of Mauritius on a quad bike. Choose from a range of different packages to discover unique sites and amazing views. Create unforgettable memories with your family or friends.

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Experience a memorable full-day excursion starting with a dolphin encounter and ending with a BBQ on Benitiers Island.

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Mauritius: Private Full-Day Instagram Tour

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Île aux Cerfs: Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with BBQ Lunch

On the East Coast, the turquoise lagoon stretches out to the horizon. Cruise across the Trou d'Eau Douce Bay and experience a paradisiac day within the protective arms of the Eastern Reef.

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Swim with dolphins in Mauritius : Recommended tours & tickets

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Family Holiday to Mauritius

Family holiday to mauritius (13 days).

With an abundance of white sand beaches lapped by calm azure waters, forested peaks with cascading waterfalls and world-class resorts catering for every whim, Mauritius is an excellent destination for a fun-filled family holiday. This trip has been carefully designed for families with children aged eight and above, with the intention of being leisurely and exhilarating in equal measures. Start with an easy drive from the airport to the Preskil Island Resort, set on a private peninsula near the historic port of Mahebourg. After three days to relax on the white sand beaches, and trying your hand at fishing on a traditional wooden boat, head inland to the delightful Lakaz Chamarel lodge - set in lush countryside overlooking the west coast. Here you will have time to explore the area’s many places of interest, and take a nature walk in the Black River Gorges National Park. You will then be driven to the laid-back resort of Shanti Maurice on the quieter south coast of the island, an ideal setting for the final five nights of your holiday, and take a boat trip around Tamarind Bay to spot dolphins in their natural habitat.

Tour Highlights

• Stay near historic Mahebourg
• Traditional fishing experience
• Rural stay in the hills
• Hike in a National Park
• Dolphin spotting
• Idyllic beach to finish

Suitable For

• Young explorers (8+)
• First timers
• Beach lovers
• Nature lovers

Guide Price

From £3,265 per adult, £2,230 per child based on a shared room for departures in October.

• Return international flights
• 12 nights' hotel accommodation
• Daily breakfast, 3 lunches and 7 dinners
• All transfers on a private basis
• Service charges, room tax and handling fees

Airline Information

• Air Mauritius
• Tour based on flights with Air Mauritius
• View alternative airlines

Day by Day Itinerary

Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Mauritius

Flight:  MK53 London Heathrow - Mauritius 17.00 - 07.30 (overnight)

Day 2: Arrive Mauritius & transfer to your hotel

Private transfer: Upon arrival in Mauritius you will be welcomed by your local guide and transferred to Preskil Island Resort in a chauffeur driven car for a four-night stay.

Accommodation:  Stay tonight at the Preskil Island Resort (Family Garden Room)

Meals: Dinner

Day 3: Day at leisure

Day at leisure: Today is free to relax at your hotel and explore the local area.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Fishing for a day

Fishing for a day: This family-friendly experience gives you a taste of local fisherman’s life in pursuit of catch on the Indian Ocean. The day starts with a drive to the harbour at Mahebourg, where you will see the local fishermen gearing up and getting ready for their day at sea. You will then board a traditional fishing boat and set off to explore the calm turquoise waters of Mahebourg Bay, which is protected by dozens of small islets and larger offshore islands. The skipper will demonstrate the technique of hand lining for the smaller species of fish which thrive in the shallower waters near the coast, and you will have a whole morning to catch your dinner, relax onboard and explore the offshore islands. The boat will then return to Mahebourg Harbour in time for a seafood lunch of lobster grilled fish. There will then be a visit to Rault Biscuit Factory to see how their famous cookies are manufactured, and of course sample the end products, before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Day at leisure

Day 6: Hiking in the Black River Gorges

Private transfer: This morning you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Black River Gorges National Park for today’s excursion.

Hiking in the Black River Gorges: There are dozens of possible routes to take, so the length and intensity of today’s walk can be tailored to your fitness levels. One of the more popular options is the Machabee Forest Loop, a moderate hike of around 8km in total which starts from the Petrin Visitor Centre and will take around 3 hours. This route starts with a level section through tropical forest and continues to the Pink Pigeon feeding station, where you guide will provide a briefing on the local flora and fauna. Continue along the forest trail which then descend to the crest of a waterfall where you can get spectacular views over the peaks to the west coast. The route then loops around through a different section of forest back towards your starting point. Good balance, fitness and a sturdy pair of shoes are essential on this trek. Expect to come across plenty of macaques, colourful birdlife and wild boar if you are lucky.

Private transfer: After today’s tour you will continue driving south to the Lakaz Chamarel Lodge to check-in for a three-night stay.

Accommodation:  Stay tonight at the Lakaz Chamarel (Garden Pool Suite)

Days 7-8: Days at leisure

Days at leisure: These days are free to relax and explore the Chamarel area or do one of the many activities that can be arranged through the lodge.

Accommodation:  Stay these nights at the Lakaz Chamarel (Garden Pool Suite)

Day 9: Transfer to your beach resort in in Bel Ombre

Private transfer: This morning you will be met by your driver and transferred to the Bel Ombre area to check in at the Shanti Maurice Resort for a five night stay.

Accommodation:  Stay tonight at the Shanti Maurice Resort (Junior Suite Oceanview)

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Day at leisure

Day at leisure:  Today is free to relax at your hotel and explore the local area. Alternatively, we can include day trips to explore the culture, history and natural wonders of Mauritius – please ask your travel consultant for ideas.

Day 11: Dolphin Spotting

Dolphin Spotting: After breakfast in your hotel you will be driven to a jetty on the west coast to board a comfortable speed boat. A qualified captain will provide a briefing on all aspects of the activity ahead, and then cruise out to the azure waters of Tamarin Bay to look for wild dolphins in their natural habitat. You will have plenty of time to watch these incredible creates swim and interact with one another as they frolic in the water near the boat. Continue cruising to the uninhabited coral island of Ile aux Benitiers for a picnic lunch on a deserted beach, from where you can see the Black River Mountains and dramatic peak of Le Morne Brabant in the distance. There will be some time to relax on the island, and snorkel in the clear blue waters, before heading back to your hotel in the early afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Days 12-13: Days at leisure

Days at leisure: These days are free to relax at your hotel or explore the local area.

Accommodation:  Stay these nights at the Shanti Maurice Resor t (Junior Suite Oceanview)

Day 14: Fly back to London Heathrow

Private transfer:  Late this afternoon you will be met by your guide and transferred to the airport in time for your return flight to London.

Flight:  MK42 Mauritius - London Heathrow 22.25 - 07.30 (overnight)

Meals:  Breakfast

Day 15: Arrive in London Heathrow

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