Ile Aux Benitiers: Is Swimming with Dolphins & BBQ Lunch Worth It?

Mauritius, you know, it’s often called a paradise, so I wanted to experience some of what makes it so special. So, a tour that kept popping up was the Ile Aux Benitiers trip, which includes swimming with dolphins and a barbecue lunch. Obviously, it sounds wonderful, but is it actually any good? Well, after going on the tour myself, I wanted to give you a rundown of what it’s like and whether I feel it’s something that’s actually worth your hard-earned money.

Setting Off: What to Expect Early On

Usually, things get going pretty early; you see, most tours, like your tour, often start before sunrise. This is really to make sure you get the best possible chance to actually see, that is, get to swim with, the dolphins when they are more active. In my case, there’s this pickup from my hotel in Flic en Flac – really, just a bit before 6 AM. It’s almost tough, getting up so early on vacation, right? Still, the thought of seeing those awesome creatures made it surprisingly easy. So, the drive to the departure point was filled with anticipation and that pre-dawn quiet, with sleepy villages along the way, you know. After a quick briefing from the crew – and they were a friendly bunch, like your new best pals – we boarded the speedboat. Very soon, that boat, just a tiny boat, set off into the open sea.

The Main Event: Interacting with Dolphins

Okay, so this is what most people come for, which is swimming with dolphins! When we got to the spot, it was teeming with boats, almost a bit chaotic, very crowded. The guides, of course, are on the lookout, searching for dolphins. What happens next, in some respects, is all a bit quick, to be honest. Spotting the dolphins meant getting ready real fast, like now. We were told, by the way, how to enter the water quietly, so as to, just maybe, not disturb the animals. Now, being in the water when the dolphins are nearby is rather something. Very swiftly, they are graceful and fast, like, seriously fast. That time you get to spend near them goes quickly; the guides get you back on board and then they look for the dolphins again, which gives other people a chance. The ethical part of it did make me think, because there are just so many boats, and you might consider how the dolphins feel being surrounded like that.

Ile Aux Benitiers: Paradise Found?

After the dolphin experience, the tour heads to Ile Aux Benitiers itself. This, arguably, is a very small island that you can walk around easily, which is quite well-known for its serene beach and super clear waters, you know. So, it really lives up to the postcard pictures. The beach is really the ideal spot to loosen up, to soak up the sunshine, or, very often, to just stroll along the shore. This location, Ile Aux Benitiers, so I heard, got its title from the “Benitier” shells, those clam shells so huge. These shells were often used in churches for holy water; these are the ones that were seen a bit offshore around the island. This place is the ideal pause after a somewhat hectic swim with the dolphins, just what I required.

The BBQ Lunch: A Culinary Highlight

The BBQ lunch, without doubt, is one of the better parts of the trip for many, including me. A big part of the tour price usually covers this tasty lunch. The crew prepares it right on the beach, which gives that authentic outdoor eating feel. You have grilled fish, chicken, sausages, all of those, along with salads and local bread, too. To be honest, this food is very welcome after all the swimming and sunshine, rather very delicious. They cater, by the way, to different tastes. Plus, very often there’s local Mauritian rum to try, like a refreshing beverage, and that just really adds to the celebratory mood.

Snorkeling and Beach Time

After lunch, there’s usually time set aside for snorkeling. Close to Ile Aux Benitiers, in some respects, you might find some okay spots for snorkeling. Very many tours provide the gear, and you can just go see the marine life, like bright fish and coral. That area, though, isn’t as impressive as other spots around Mauritius; yet, it’s still good, a relaxing activity that goes perfectly with the beach vibe. If you don’t wish to snorkel, though, you could also just hang out on the beach. Loads of people chill on the sand, maybe read a book or just sit back to appreciate that scene before heading back.

Is It Worth It? The Final Verdict

So, is the Ile Aux Benitiers tour, with swimming with the dolphins and lunch included, truly worth the cash? It, of course, comes with pros and cons. The chance to see, just a little bit, or get very near to dolphins is surely special, even if it could get overly crowded and maybe slightly stressful for the animals. The island is gorgeous, without question, which offers that idyllic escape you’d imagine in Mauritius. And the BBQ, really, makes it into a pleasurable day trip. Yet, you might have to weigh the possible environmental impact against the fun you’ll have, you know. Ultimately, should you decide to go in, consider going with tour companies that emphasize eco-friendly practices, to kind of, just a little, lower that impact.