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Swim with dolphins in Mauritius

Grande Riviere Noire, Mauritius
Bucket List Experience

Young woman swim underwater with dolphins in blue ocean. Mauritius

Last updated: 21 March, 2024

The wild, enigmatic bottlenose and spinner dolphins found in Tamarin Bay have become a popular attraction in Mauritius – and let’s be honest, who doesn’t like dolphins? Excursions allow people of all ages to watch them frolicking in the bay, and some excursions offer the opportunity to swim with them here. Visibility is excellent, often up to 40m, so you can see them cleary underwater.

Other goodies can be thrown in, like a BBQ lunch on a deserted island, snorkelling on reefs, and even whale watching – sperm and (depending on the time of year) humpback whales are present.

If you don’t want to swim, you can always take a sailboat excursion to Ile aux Benitiers, which takes you to see dolphins in the wild, then moors up for a BBQ lunch and diving/snorkelling on a coral reef.

Logistics

Price from: £50

Minimum age: Any

Age suitable: 8+

When: All year around

Duration: 2hrs - 1day

Getting there & doing it

Tours usually depart for Tamarin Bay from Grande Riviere Noire on the southwest coast. If you’re staying in the north, e.g. Grand Baie, it’s a 1.5-hour drive. Some tours include hotel pick up, but if you’re further away, you’ll spend time in the van stopping at nearer hotels. Other ‘dolphin’ trips, where dolphin sightings and swimming are incidental, may depart from other ports; make sure you select one going to Tamarin Bay.

A basic dolphin tour lasts around 2 hours; if you add on the BBQ lunch and snorkelling, it’s a full day. There’s no minimum age, but any participant must be a competent swimmer.

Tamarin Bay tours have a 90% success rate at spotting dolphins, but if you’re unlucky and miss them, most operators offer a second outing free. So book this trip early in your vacation, so you have the opportunity to go again.

When to do it

Tours operate in good weather all year round. Dolphin watching day excursions depart several times a day.

Swimming with dolphins has to be early in the morning. The water is clearest and calmest for viewing from October to December and March to April. Avoid the January to February cyclone season.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Dolphin trip/Private boat tour le morne/Crystal rock LydiaBoat

Mauritius

Viator

Enjoy your private boat tour (music onboard) with your loved one.. Our specialty is to start early in the morning, to get the chance to be the first with the dolphins.. Swimming with dolphins is one of the best things you can do in Maurice Island. During this one-day excursion you will be able to see how amazing the marine life is.. Observe them peacefully in their natural habitat while swimming nearby, without disturbing them.You will visit and snorkel at Crystal Rock while admiring the beautiful view over Morne Mountain followed by a degustation of oysters and sea urchins and a tasty barbecue (3BBQ menu option) on Benitier Island including your beverages(alcholic/non-alcholic).. After the lunch, you can spend a few moments of relaxation, sunbathing or you can go for a walk on the beach. Give us the possibility of making your holiday unforgettable.. -Best Trip For -Family Time -Romantic journey as a couple. -Adventures Time With Friends.. We also propose: -WHALES WATCHING -SUNSETS

Price €185

Min age 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [301 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Whale watching and swim with dolphins

Mauritius

Viator

During our private tour, you will be on board with a passionate team who respect the dolphins and whales. Our priority's to not disturb the cetaceans who come to Mauritius to breed, feed and give birth. The Captain and crew will be happy to share his passion with you!

Price €490

Min age 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [188 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Full-Day Mauritius Volcanic Wonders Tour Including Swimming with Wild Dolphins

Trou d'Eau Douce

Viator

Note: This tour is private, except for the swimming with wild dolphins portion. The Dolphins and Volcanic Wonders Tour is a unique, full-day excursion, including hotel pickup and dropoff in an air-conditioned vehicle with a friendly guide. Swim with wild dolphins in their natural environment, and discover beautiful coral and tropical fish while snorkeling near the reef in the morning. After, you'll get the chance to enjoy the stunning views from the top of the Trou aux Cerfs dormant volcano and visit the sacred Grand Bassin crater lake. Admire the breathtaking views in Black River Gorges National Park and the famous Alexandra Falls. End your day by discovering the geographic wonder of Chamarel, the 7-colored earth site, and soak in the beauty of Chamarel Falls.

Price CA$164

Min age 0

Rating 4.20 / 5 [150 ratings]

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Dolphins Encounter and Whale Watching

Mauritius

Viator

Make your dreams come true during a unique dolphin encounter and discover the wonderful world of the whales. An unforgettable experience: swimming with wild dolphins in their natural environment. If you don't want to swim with them, you can also observe them from the boat. The second part of the excursion: whale watching. With the help of a hydrophone, our crew will try to localize them. And once on site, just observe and admire these amazing creatures.

Price €92

Min age 0

Rating 4.67 / 5 [131 ratings]

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3-Day Private Tour of Mauritius Island with Optional Wild Dolphin Swim

Trou d'Eau Douce

Viator

This "Mauritius Essentials" tour consists of 3, 8-hour private tours that allow you to explore the main attractions at your own pace. Note: you have the flexibility to choose which tour you do on each day. Day 1: North Tour • Pamplemousses botanical garden • L’Aventure du Sucre sugar and rum museum • Château de Labourdonnais colonial mansion and garden • Port Louis Day 2: South Tour • Bois Cheri tea plantation • La Vanille crocodile and tortoise park • Gris Gris and La Roche Qui Pleure rugged rock formations Day 3: Southwest Tour With or Without Wild Dolphin Swim • Optional: Wild dolphin swim (shared boat) • Trou aux Cerfs volcano • Grand Bassin sacred lake • Black River Gorges national park • Chamarel seven coloured earth

Price CA$265

Min age 0

Rating 4.58 / 5 [34 ratings]

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18 Best places to swim with dolphins

Multiple countries

Inspiration

These intelligent, social beings have long held a special place in our hearts – a result of their seemingly-smiling faces, playful frolicking and friendly disposition. Here’s our round-up of some of the best places in the world to swim with them.

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