Southwest of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ Snorkeling

The best part of this Mauritius cruise is the mix of wildlife, sea time, and an island stop in one easy day. You may spot spinner dolphins in Tamarin Bay, then snorkel among tropical fish before lunch is served on the catamaran.

I like the large, comfortable boat, which gives you more room than many smaller outings, and the generous food and drink service. The BBQ includes fish, chicken, salads, vegetables, bread, fruit, and local drinks. The main drawback is the dolphin stop: several boats may gather in the bay, and rough seas can force the captain to change the route.

Key points to know

• Dolphin watching in Tamarin Bay: The crew looks for spinner dolphins in their natural setting, but sightings are not guaranteed.
• Snorkeling at La Preneuse or L’Harmonie: Clear lagoon water and tropical fish make this the main swimming stop.
• BBQ lunch on board: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausage, salads, vegetables, bread, fruit, and drinks.
• Comfortable shared catamaran: The spacious boat gives you room to sit, move around, and enjoy the coast.
• Ile aux Bénitiers stop: You get about 30 minutes to swim, walk, sunbathe, or buy a fresh coconut.
• Good value at $85: The price covers a 6.5-hour cruise, lunch, beverages, snorkeling, and the island stop, but not hotel transfers.

A West Coast Day Built Around the Sea

This is a full half-day on the water, not a quick boat ride with one rushed photo stop. You leave from the Le Morne Anglers Club jetty in Black River and follow the west coast toward Tamarin Bay, La Preneuse, L’Harmonie, and Ile aux Bénitiers.

The trip works well because each part has a different purpose. Tamarin Bay is for wildlife, La Preneuse or L’Harmonie is for swimming and snorkeling, the boat is your lunch table, and Ile aux Bénitiers gives you a short break on land.

You pay $85 per person. That is a fair price for a six-and-a-half-hour shared cruise when you count the meal, drinks, snorkeling stop, crew service, and island visit. You still need to arrange your own way to Black River, and personal purchases are extra.

The catamaran is also a practical choice if you dislike being packed into a small motorboat. One particularly useful detail is its size. The boat is described as having plenty of space, with room to spread out rather than sit shoulder to shoulder all day.

Meeting at Black River Before 9:30

Plan to reach the Le Morne Anglers Club jetty in Black River by 9:00 a.m. The schedule lists contact with the team around 9:20, followed by sailing from about 9:30. Since hotel pickup is not included, allow time to get to the jetty on your own.

The cruise returns to the same jetty at about 3:30 p.m. That makes this easy to fit into a west coast stay, but less convenient if you are based far from Black River and do not have transport. There is no need to arrange a different return point.

English and French are spoken. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is not recommended for anyone prone to seasickness. If that describes you, a catamaran may not be the best place to spend six hours, even though its size can feel steadier than a smaller boat.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, a waterproof bag, a cover-up, dry clothes, and a light jacket. You may use the snorkeling equipment provided, or bring your own if you prefer.

Tamarin Bay and the Search for Spinner Dolphins

The first major stop is Tamarin Bay, where the crew searches for spinner dolphins. These animals are known for their quick, twisting jumps, but the key word here is possible. Dolphins are wild animals, so there is no firm sighting guarantee.

The dolphin portion is also the part that deserves the most care. You are there to watch animals in their natural setting, not to chase them or force a close encounter. One useful detail from the experience is that the catamaran crew did not join boats that cut across the dolphins or encourage people to swim directly with them.

That matters. You may see several boats gathered in the bay, and the activity can feel crowded if other operators approach too closely. The best approach is to treat a sighting as a bonus and judge the crew by how responsibly they handle the encounter.

If dolphins do not appear, the day still has plenty left: coastal views, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and Ile aux Bénitiers. That makes this a better choice than an outing built only around wildlife.

Snorkeling at La Preneuse or L’Harmonie

After the dolphin search, the catamaran heads toward the lagoon around La Preneuse or L’Harmonie. The schedule names L’Harmonie as the planned stop, while sea conditions may affect the exact location.

This is where you get in the water for a swim and snorkeling. The description points to clear water, coral, and schools of tropical fish. You should expect a relaxed lagoon stop rather than a technical snorkeling trip. There is no indication of a long guided lesson or specialist marine briefing.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment, and you may bring your own. I would still pack a waterproof bag for your phone and dry items, since you will move between the boat, the water, and the beach later in the day.

The marine-life rules are simple and important: do not touch animals or plants, and do not leave rubbish behind. The water may look calm, but sea conditions can change. The captain can alter the route for safety if the sea is rough or a passage becomes impassable.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations sensible. This cruise includes a snorkeling break, but it is not presented as a specialist reef expedition. The appeal is the complete day, with snorkeling as one strong part of it.

BBQ Lunch With Plenty to Eat

Lunch is served on board around noon, before the catamaran continues to Ile aux Bénitiers. This timing is helpful. You can swim first, dry off, and then sit down for a proper meal instead of relying on snacks.

The standard BBQ menu includes grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, seafood, rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit. That is a substantial spread for a boat excursion.

Vegetarians have a separate menu with rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, vegetarian sausages, bread, and fruit. The children’s menu is listed as the same as the adult menu, so families should be aware that there is no separate simplified kids’ meal described.

Drinks include local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, mineral water, and cocktails. This is one of the better-value parts of the outing. You are not left paying separately for every bottle of water or soft drink, and the drink service helps turn lunch into a social part of the day.

The meal is served on the catamaran, so seating and timing depend on the shared group. If you prefer a quiet restaurant lunch, this will feel casual. If you like eating with the sea around you and do not mind a livelier boat atmosphere, it fits the mood well.

A Short Break on Ile aux Bénitiers

After lunch, the boat heads to Ile aux Bénitiers. You disembark at about 1:30 p.m. and have free time until roughly 2:00 p.m., then sail back toward Black River.

Thirty minutes is not enough for a long island walk. It is enough to stretch your legs, stroll along the sand, swim, sunbathe, or sit with a drink. A fresh coconut on the beach is a tempting extra, though it is not part of the included price.

This stop is best understood as a change of pace rather than a major sightseeing visit. You have spent much of the day moving across the water, so a short time on land can feel refreshing. The island gives you a chance to take photos, look back toward the coast, and enjoy the sandy shore without rushing through another formal activity.

The limited time is also the drawback. If you want a long beach stay or a full island exploration, 30 minutes will feel brief. I would use it for one simple plan: swim, walk, or relax. Trying to do all three will make the stop feel hurried.

The Catamaran, Crew, and Onboard Mood

The boat itself receives some of the strongest praise for this outing. It is spacious, comfortable, and large enough to give people room to move around. That matters on a six-and-a-half-hour cruise, especially after swimming and lunch.

The crew is described as warm, energetic, attentive, and helpful. They serve the food, offer drinks, provide snorkeling equipment, and keep the day moving. The atmosphere sounds friendly rather than formal, with enough energy for a group outing without requiring you to join every activity.

The boat is shared, so do not expect a private charter. You will be part of a group, and popular stops may include other boats nearby. The larger catamaran helps, but it does not remove the shared nature of the trip.

One useful family detail is that an eight-year-old joined the experience successfully. That does not mean every child will enjoy six hours at sea, but the combination of food, swimming, island time, and space on the boat can work well for families with older children.

What the $85 Price Really Covers

At $85, you are paying for more than transport across the lagoon. The price includes the catamaran cruise, dolphin search, snorkeling stop, BBQ lunch, drinks, and Ile aux Bénitiers. That is a solid package for a full day on the west coast.

The strongest value comes from the food and drink service. Fish, chicken, seafood, salads, vegetables, bread, fruit, beer, wine, rum, juice, soft drinks, and water are all listed. A similar day can become expensive if you must buy lunch and drinks separately.

The price does not include hotel pickup, drop-off, or personal expenses. Your transport to Black River is the main extra cost to plan for. You may also want money for optional purchases on the island, such as a coconut.

I would book this for the overall day, not solely for dolphins. Wildlife sightings depend on nature, and sea conditions can change the route. The value remains strong if you think of the dolphin search as one element within a broader west coast cruise.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this cruise if you want a social, easy-going day on the water with several activities included. It suits couples, families with children, and anyone who prefers a broad introduction to Mauritius’ west coast instead of a single-purpose snorkeling trip.

It is also a good fit if you like having meals and drinks organized for you. You do not need to find a beach restaurant at midday, and the crew keeps the day simple.

You may want another option if you are prone to seasickness, have mobility limitations, or want a quiet private boat. You should also reconsider if you expect a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed dolphin encounter, or hours on Ile aux Bénitiers.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The cruise runs every day from Monday through Sunday, subject to safe sea conditions.

Should You Book the Black River Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a well-rounded west coast day with a roomy boat, a generous BBQ, drinks, snorkeling, and a short beach stop. The crew’s friendly service and the boat’s extra space are real advantages, especially when compared with a cramped small-boat outing.

Go in with the right expectations. Dolphins may or may not appear, other boats may gather in Tamarin Bay, and the island stop is short. For $85, though, you get a lot in one package, and the experience does not depend on any single stop going perfectly.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at the Le Morne Anglers Club jetty in Black River, Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should meet the team at the jetty around 9:00 a.m. The detailed schedule lists contact with the team at about 9:20, with sailing from approximately 9:30.

What time does the cruise return?

The catamaran returns to Le Morne Anglers Club jetty at about 3:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Black River.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for spinner dolphins in Tamarin Bay, but sightings are not guaranteed because the dolphins are wild animals.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available on board, and you may bring your own equipment if you prefer.

What food is served?

The BBQ includes grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, seafood, salads, seasonal vegetables, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit. A vegetarian menu is available, and the children’s menu is listed as the same as the adult menu.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, mineral water, and cocktails.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The captain may change the direction or route if sea conditions are rough or a passage is not safe. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or people with mobility impairments.