Blue Safari
- Submarine
- Catamaran
- Sailing
- Boat trip
- Fishing
- Dolphins
- Snorkeling
Photo: ha ha / PexelsMauritius · Indian Ocean
Dolphin Watching in Mauritius
Pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphins rest in the bays of Tamarin and Black River most mornings. Trips are licensed, regulated and leave early (6am–7:30am) to catch them before they move offshore. Below: the official rules, what to ask before you book, and verified operators by region.
13 operators
3 regions
Watching dolphins responsibly
Dolphin (and whale) watching in Mauritius is governed by the Tourism Authority (Dolphin and Whale Watching) Regulations 2012, amended in 2024. The operator must hold a licence, with a certified skipper and the Authority's label displayed on the boat.
- Distance: no boat within 50 m of a dolphin; between 50 and 150 m, no wake, no sudden change of speed or course — approach from the side, never head-on or from behind, no circling or driving through the pod.
- Swimmers: a maximum of 3 people in the water at once, including the rescuer; a rescuer, first-aid kit and oxygen must be on board.
- Hours: paid trips, watching or swimming, are only permitted from 6am to midday.
- No feeding, touching, or noise to attract the animals. Kitesurfing, jet-skiing and diving are banned within 500 m of dolphins.
- Whales: swimming, diving or snorkeling with a whale is illegal, whatever the operator offers — see the note below.
Source: Tourism Authority (Dolphin and Whale Watching) Regulations 2012 (GN No. 154 of 2012), amended 2024 — official text, tourismauthority.mu (consulted 2026-10-31).
What to ask your operator
- How many boats will be around the dolphins when we arrive?
- Do you keep the 50 m distance, and how do you approach the pod?
- How long do you stay near a group of dolphins?
- Does the trip leave before 9am, when the dolphins are usually most at rest?
- What happens if the dolphins seem disturbed — do you move away?
Swimming with dolphins is legal in Mauritius in the morning, under licence — and also contested by part of the scientific community, who consider repeated approaches a disturbance to animals resting after a night of hunting. We list the operators below because each has a sourced contact on its own site or page; we take no position on any of them individually. Asking the questions above, and choosing accordingly, is up to you.
What about whales?
Sperm whales are resident off the west coast year-round; humpback whales pass through from roughly July to October. Watching is observation only — swimming, diving or snorkeling with a whale is illegal in Mauritius (see the rules above). We are preparing a dedicated whale watching page; for now, several of the operators listed here also offer whale watching alongside dolphins.
Region
Trip type
Also offers
13 operators
North
VAVA VOOM CRUISE
- Catamaran
- Boat trip
- Dolphins
- Island trip
- Snorkeling
- Sunset
- Northern islands
- Family
West
Dolphin Warrior
- Dolphins
- Whale watching
- Fishing
- Boat trip
- Snorkeling
- Island trip
- Sunset
- Private
- Lunch included
- Half day
- Full day
Dolswim Ltd
- Dolphins
- Whale watching
- Private
- Full day
- Lunch included
Karlos Excursions
- Boat trip
- Dolphins
- Snorkeling
- Fishing
- Lunch included
NICKOCOCOSUNSHINE Baleines & Cachalots
- Whale watching
- Dolphins
- Private
Ocean Brothers Mauritius
- Dolphins
- Whale watching
- Snorkeling
Oceane Cruises Mauritius
- Catamaran
- Boat trip
- Boat rental
- Island trip
- Dolphins
- Snorkeling
- Private
- Half day
- Full day
- Île aux Cerfs
- Lunch included
- Sunset
- Family
The Friendly Dodo
- Dolphins
- Whale watching
- Boat trip
- Private
South
Other locations
Vitamin Sea
- Catamaran
- Boat trip
- Dolphins
- Whale watching
- Snorkeling
- Island trip
- Private
- Full day
- Lunch included
- Sunset
- Île aux Cerfs
- Northern islands
- Half day
Whale Dream
- Dolphins
- Whale watching
- Fishing
- Boat trip
Nearby snorkeling, beaches and dive sites
Snorkeling spot · North
Balaclava
~1.3km
Snorkeling spot · North
Trou aux Biches
~1.6km
Snorkeling spot · West
Cathedral
~1.8km
Snorkeling spot · North
Pointe aux Piments
~1.8km
Beach · North
Baie du Tombeau
~0.1km
Beach · North
Balaclava
~1.3km
Beach · North
Trou aux Biches
~1.6km
Beach ·
La Prairie Beach
~1.9km
Dive site · West
Roche Zanana
~0.5km
Dive site · West
Balaclava
~0.6km
Dive site · West
Silvana
~0.7km
Dive site · West
Battery
~0.7km
Guide
Find a dive center →
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to swim with dolphins in Mauritius?
Yes, under a licence, and only from 6am to midday (amended in 2024 from the original 9am cutoff) — see the official rules below, sourced from the Mauritius Tourism Authority (consulted 2026-10-31).
Is swimming with dolphins ethical?
It is legal and licensed, but a part of the scientific community considers any repeated approach by boats and swimmers a disturbance to dolphins resting in the bay — see "Watching dolphins responsibly" below. We take no position on the operators listed here; the choice, and the questions to ask, are yours.
Can I swim with whales in Mauritius?
No — it is illegal to swim, dive or snorkel with a whale in Mauritius. Only observation from the regulated distance is permitted. See the whale watching note below.
Where can I see dolphins in Mauritius?
DivingMauritius lists verified dolphin-watching operators in 3 regions — most departures are on the west coast (Tamarin, Black River), where pods rest in the bay in the morning.
How do I book?
Contact the operator directly using the sourced phone, WhatsApp, email or website on its card — DivingMauritius does not take bookings.