Book a catamaran trip to Île aux Bénitiers: dolphins, snorkelling at Crystal Rock and lunch on the sand, facing UNESCO-listed Le Morne Brabant.
Île aux Bénitiers is a wild islet set in the lagoon, 500 metres off the coast of the village of La Gaulette, on the south-west coast of Mauritius. It can only be reached by boat, on a full-day excursion combining dolphin watching, snorkelling at Crystal Rock and lunch with your feet in the sand. Facing UNESCO-listed Le Morne Brabant, this islet remains one of the most popular boat excursions on the west coast. Here is where it is located, how to get there and what activities you can enjoy during your stay at our luxury hotel on the west coast of Mauritius.
Île aux Bénitiers lies in the lagoon on the west coast, just 500 metres from the village of La Gaulette, in the Rivière Noire district. The islet takes its name from giant clams, which were once found in its shallow waters. A long white-sand beach, coconut palms and direct views of Le Morne Brabant perfectly capture the laid-back seaside lifestyle of western Mauritius and set the tone for a holiday centred around the Indian Ocean.
From our address perched on the heights of La Tourelle in Rivière Noire, the La Gaulette jetty is easily reached by following the coast. Our concierge team knows the local skippers and selects excursions according to the day’s marine weather conditions. This is the great advantage of departing from the south-west coast: Île aux Bénitiers is just a short lagoon crossing away.
Île aux Bénitiers remains a preserved natural area, with no shops or major infrastructure. Bring water, sun protection and water shoes for walking across the coral flats. The baobab tree on the island, which is often photographed, makes a lovely landmark amid the vegetation. Nothing compares to spending a morning exploring this sandbank on foot, with Le Morne as your backdrop.
Île aux Bénitiers can only be reached by sea, and a catamaran remains the most comfortable option for a full day on the lagoon. Departures usually take place from La Gaulette or Case Noyale, the two closest departure points to the islet. A typical excursion lasts between 6 and 8 hours and follows a well-established route along the west coast.
Depending on the package you choose, the day generally includes several highlights:
Packages and prices vary from one operator to the next, and children often benefit from reduced rates. Our concierge team will be delighted to give you further information and to arrange the whole boat trip before your arrival.
Around Île aux Bénitiers, the lagoon offers some of the best watersports in western Mauritius. Snorkelling is one of the highlights: the clear waters around Crystal Rock are home to colourful fish and corals, just a few kicks of the fins from the surface. Those looking for a more relaxing experience can enjoy the islet’s long sandy beach, perfect for a family swim overlooking the Indian Ocean and Le Morne Brabant. Kayaking, paddleboarding and glass-bottom boat trips complete the range of activities.
Meeting the dolphins remains the highlight of the excursion. These marine mammals swim along the west coast early in the morning, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., when the sea is still calm. Swimming with dolphins should always be done respectfully and from a safe distance, without chasing them.
The secret to a great trip to Île aux Bénitiers is to set off at sunrise, before the wind and before the crowds.
Dreaming of a morning on a turquoise lagoon, surrounded by dolphins and snorkelling spots? At Legend Hill, our concierge team can organise your excursion to Île aux Bénitiers and coordinate every detail, from your transfer to lunch on the sand. Book your boat trip and experience the west coast from our address overlooking the lagoon.
Fancy a day at sea to Île aux Bénitiers?
Method: the location of the islet, the departure points, the length of the excursions and the shape of the day were cross-checked with the Mauritian tourism board, the UNESCO listing of Le Morne Brabant was verified with the World Heritage Centre, and both were supplemented by the Legend Hill team's own knowledge of the south-west coast, verified in August 2026. Packages, timings and prices vary from one operator to another: ask our concierge team before booking.
Avi Rumjansing entered Mauritian hospitality in 2002 as a cashier at Indian Resort. Twenty years later, after Les Pavillons, the Mövenpick and fifteen years at Aanari Hotel & Spa as Front Office then Operations Manager, he runs the front desk at Legend Hill. He holds a BSc in Management from the Open University of Mauritius, and he is the one guests ask when to set off for the tea route.
La Plantation Marguery
Black River Mauritius
Tel : +230 5509 8168
reservations@legendhill-mauritius.com