Full Day Private Catamaran Cruise to Bénitiers Island

The main draw here is the chance to search for dolphins in their natural setting at Tamarin Bay, then spend the day moving between open water, a snorkeling stop, Crystal Rock, and Bénitiers Island. You get a private catamaran for your own group, not a mixed boatload of strangers.

I like the generous capacity of up to 15 people and the freedom that gives families or larger groups. I also like the practical touch of included snorkeling equipment. The main catch is cost control: the $1,112.85 group price does not include transfers, towels, lunch, soft drinks, or alcohol, and dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Key points

• Private boat for up to 15: The rate works best when shared by a full group.
• Dolphin search at Tamarin Bay: You look for dolphins in their natural environment rather than at a marine park.
• Snorkeling equipment included: You do not need to arrange your own mask and fins.
• Three distinct settings: The route combines Tamarin Bay, Crystal Rock, and Bénitiers Island.
• Lunch is extra: A barbecue lunch can be arranged, but food and drinks are not part of the base fare.
• Simple timing: Meet at L’Estuaire in Grande Riviere Noire at 9:00 am and return around 3:30 pm.

A private start from Grande Riviere Noire

This is a six-hour private charter beginning at L’Estuaire in Grande Riviere Noire. You need to make your own way to the meeting point because transfers are not included. The boat leaves at 9:00 am and the activity ends back at the same meeting point around 3:30 pm.

That schedule gives you a useful full morning and afternoon on the water without turning the outing into an all-day commitment. You can expect the day to revolve around the sea rather than long road transfers. That matters in Mauritius, where a private boat day can feel far more relaxed than trying to fit several coastal stops into a driving tour.

The private setup is the heart of the experience. Your group has the catamaran to itself, with room for up to 15 passengers. A couple may find the total price hard to justify, but a family group, wedding party, or gathering of friends can spread the cost across many people. At the full 15-person capacity, the base rate works out to about $74 per person before lunch, drinks, and transport.

The boat and service received particularly strong praise for being well kept and professional. Cathline was described as staying in close contact during booking and on the day of boarding. That sort of communication is useful for a private charter, where meeting details and meal arrangements matter more than they do on a basic scheduled cruise.

Tamarin Bay and the search for dolphins

Your first major stop is Tamarin Bay, where the crew looks for dolphins in their natural environment. This is not a guaranteed animal encounter, and the supplied information does not promise a specific species, number of dolphins, or amount of time in the water. Go with the right expectation: you are taking part in a search, not attending a scheduled show.

That uncertainty is also part of the appeal. Seeing dolphins where they naturally live feels less staged than viewing them in a controlled facility. The experience depends on the animals, the sea, and the conditions that day, so patience helps.

The listed stop time is 15 minutes, though the full day naturally includes time spent reaching different points by boat. You should clarify the precise swimming arrangements with the operator before departure if getting in the water with dolphins is the main reason you are booking. The description says you have the chance to swim with them, but it does not specify how long that opportunity lasts or how close you may get.

The dolphin encounter is likely to be the emotional high point for many people. At the same time, it is the least predictable part of the day. If you would be disappointed by a wildlife outing without a sighting, this is worth considering before you pay the private-charter price.

Snorkeling near La Preneuse

A snorkeling stop at La Preneuse adds a second way to experience the water. Snorkeling equipment is included, which keeps the packing list short and removes one extra rental to organize. Towels are not included, so bring your own.

The information does not specify the exact length of the La Preneuse stop, water depth, visibility, or marine life. Conditions can change, and the quality of the stop will depend on the sea that day. Still, it gives you a clear break from simply sitting on the catamaran and looking over the side.

You should pack swimwear, sun protection, dry clothing, and a towel. The supplied details do not say that food, drinks, or towels are provided, so it is safer to treat all three as your responsibility unless you arrange them in advance. If you are traveling with children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer, ask the operator about the conditions and supervision before boarding.

The snorkeling equipment is included for the group, but the tour information does not identify the exact gear available or list flotation aids. Ask those questions directly if they affect your decision.

Lunch beside Crystal Rock

The catamaran pauses near Crystal Rock for lunch. This is a scenic meal setting, with the boat serving as your base rather than a restaurant on shore. The food description refers to a barbecue lunch, and the strongest praise for the day focused on the quality of the food.

There is an important price detail here: lunch is not included in the advertised group rate. The food and drinks package is available at an extra charge. Alcoholic drinks and soda are also excluded, so you need to confirm the full meal and beverage cost before the day begins.

This arrangement can work well for a private group because you may be able to organize the food around your own preferences. But do not assume the barbecue is part of the $1,112.85 price. Ask what the supplement covers, how many people it serves, and what drinks are supplied.

Crystal Rock itself is one of the recognizable sights on this route, and the stop gives you time to enjoy the setting without rushing straight from the dolphin search to the island. The listed stop duration is 20 minutes, so the meal period may be fairly compact depending on how the day runs. A private boat gives your group a more personal setting, but it does not necessarily mean every stop can be extended.

The food deserves special attention because it was praised alongside the crew and views. If a relaxed meal on the water is central to your idea of a good catamaran trip, paying for the barbecue package may make sense. If you prefer to control your own budget, ask whether you can bring or arrange alternatives. The supplied details do not state that outside food is permitted, so confirm first.

Free time on Bénitiers Island

After Crystal Rock, you spend time at leisure on Ile aux Bénitiers. This is the most flexible part of the day. You can get off the boat, walk around, sit by the water, and give yourself a change of scene after the marine activities.

The published stop is 20 minutes, which is a short visit. Treat it as a brief island pause rather than several hours of beach time. The information does not describe facilities, shops, shade, changing rooms, or a particular beach program, so you should not build your expectations around services that are not listed.

That short stop can still be worthwhile. A private cruise is not only about checking off sights. It is also about having room to pause, take photographs, and enjoy the contrast between being aboard the catamaran and standing on land.

If Bénitiers Island is your main target, ask the operator how much time the group normally spends ashore. The six-hour schedule must also cover the dolphin search, snorkeling, Crystal Rock, lunch, and the return journey. In practice, the amount of island time may be shaped by sea conditions and the pace of the earlier stops.

What the private price really buys you

The base price is $1,112.85 per group of up to 15 people. That is a serious amount for a half-day outing, but the calculation changes if you fill the boat. With 15 passengers, the base cost is about $74 per person. With 10, it rises to about $111 each, and with five, it is about $223 each, before the added costs.

You are paying for privacy, a dedicated boat, and a route built around your group rather than a standard shared cruise. That can be good value when you want a quieter day with family or friends, especially if you want to discuss the timing and meal arrangements with the operator.

The price is less attractive if you are a couple or a small group that does not care about having the boat to yourselves. In that case, a shared catamaran might offer better value, though this particular experience is specifically a private charter.

Budget for the extras from the start:

• Lunch and the barbecue food package
• Alcoholic drinks
• Soda or other soft drinks
• Transport to and from L’Estuaire
• Towels

Snorkeling equipment is included, which is one useful saving. Everything else should be confirmed before booking so the final total does not surprise you.

Crew, communication, and the feel of the day

The crew’s professional approach is one of the strongest reasons to consider this operator. The catamaran was described as well maintained, and the service around booking and boarding received especially warm praise. Cathline’s ongoing contact is a practical advantage for a private hire, since you can sort out food, arrival details, and questions before you reach the dock.

The trip also benefits from the private format. You do not have to adapt your day to a bus full of unrelated passengers, and your group can enjoy the boat together. That is especially useful if you are celebrating something or traveling with a mix of adults and children.

Still, private does not mean unlimited control. The boat must follow sea conditions, wildlife behavior, and the day’s overall timing. If you expect a completely customized itinerary, ask what changes are possible before you book. The supplied information confirms the three main areas and the return time, but it does not promise unlimited time at any one stop.

The small amount of available feedback is consistently positive, with particular attention to the crew, food, boat condition, and dolphin and snorkeling opportunities. Those are encouraging signs, but there are only two ratings, so I would treat them as useful indications rather than a broad record of performance.

Practical planning for the six-hour cruise

The meeting point is L’Estuaire, listed at J9PG+MJR, Grande Riviere Noire, Mauritius. Since no transfer is included, plan your own route to the start. The activity ends back at the meeting point, which simplifies the return compared with a cruise that drops you at another location.

Wear clothing suited to getting wet and bring a towel, since towels are specifically excluded. Sun protection is also sensible for a day spent on open water, though the tour information does not spell out what shade or onboard facilities are available.

You should confirm these points with Catamaran Cruises Mauritius before departure:

• The extra price for lunch and drinks
• Whether outside food or beverages are allowed
• The exact dolphin swimming arrangements
• The expected time at La Preneuse and Bénitiers Island
• What snorkeling equipment sizes are available
• Any meeting instructions beyond the listed address

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Most people can participate, but the information does not give detailed accessibility guidance. If mobility, swimming ability, or a medical condition could affect your day, ask the operator before payment.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would choose this cruise for a group that values privacy, time on the water, and a mix of wildlife, snorkeling, scenery, and a short island stop. It suits friends and families who can share the cost, especially if having your own catamaran matters more than finding the lowest possible price.

It is also a good fit if you want a day with several different elements rather than a single beach stop. Tamarin Bay gives you the wildlife search, La Preneuse adds snorkeling, Crystal Rock provides the lunch setting, and Bénitiers Island gives you a short break on land.

I would hesitate if you are booking mainly for a guaranteed dolphin swim, a long stay on Bénitiers Island, or an all-inclusive price. The dolphin encounter depends on nature, Bénitiers Island is listed as a short stop, and several basic expenses sit outside the advertised fare.

Should you book the Bénitiers Island cruise?

Book it if you can fill much of the 15-person capacity and want a private day with a well-kept catamaran, attentive communication, dolphins, snorkeling equipment, a Crystal Rock lunch stop, and time on Bénitiers Island. The strongest case for the price is the private setting and the positive attention given to the crew, boat, and food.

Before paying, get the extra meal and drink costs in writing and confirm the dolphin and island timing. If those details suit you, this is a polished way to spend six hours around Mauritius’s western coast. If you are traveling as a very small group or need a guaranteed wildlife encounter, compare other options first.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. It starts at 9:00 am and returns to the meeting point around 3:30 pm.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at L’Estuaire, J9PG+MJR, Grande Riviere Noire, Mauritius. Transfers are not included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included in the base price. A food and drinks package, including a barbecue lunch, is available at an additional cost.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Towels are not included.

Can I swim with dolphins?

The cruise gives you the chance to encounter and swim with dolphins at Tamarin Bay in their natural environment. A specific sighting or swimming opportunity is not guaranteed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.