Ile aux Benitiers: complete guide to visiting this south-west lagoon gem

Ile aux Benitiers: an underrated paradise in the south-west lagoon

Ile aux Benitiers is one of the gems of Mauritius’s south-west coast — less famous than Ile aux Cerfs on the east coast, but no less spectacular. Tucked into the vast turquoise lagoon facing Le Morne Brabant, this wild, little-visited island offers a setting of absolute natural beauty.

Ile aux Benitiers takes its name from the giant clams (Tridacna gigas, “bénitiers” in French) that once populated its seabed. These bivalve molluscs, which can weigh up to 250 kg, are now protected, but their name has stuck to the island as a tribute to the exceptional marine richness of these waters. That underwater legacy still shows in the remarkable quality of the reefs surrounding the island.

The geographic setting of Ile aux Benitiers is one of its great strengths. It sits facing the Le Morne peninsula, about 5 kilometres from shore, in a lagoon whose size and beauty are unmatched elsewhere on the island. The view of Le Morne Brabant from the island’s beaches is spectacular — the 556-metre mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cuts a striking silhouette against the sky when seen from the sea.

At a glance

Where	South-west lagoon, facing Le Morne Brabant, boarding at La Preneuse or Rivière Noire (La Gaulette area)
Price	Boat shuttle only: 30 to 50 EUR return · Full catamaran excursion: 70 to 100 EUR/adult
Time needed	Half a day to a full day (catamaran package: 6 to 7 h)
How to get there	By boat only, from La Preneuse or Rivière Noire (15 to 20 min sailing)
Best time	Year-round for the island itself; May to December is best for calm seas — see our guide to the best time to visit

How to get to Ile aux Benitiers

From La Preneuse and Rivière Noire

The main boarding point is at La Preneuse or Rivière Noire (Black River), on the south-west coast. Several jetties and small marinas let you reach the island by motorboat in 15 to 20 minutes across the lagoon.

Private motorboat: some boat operators in La Preneuse offer independent return shuttles, without an organised excursion. Ideal if you want to spend the day on the island at your own pace. Price: 1,500 to 2,500 rupees per person return (30 to 50 EUR), often including a stop at Crystal Rock.

Catamaran excursion from Rivière Noire: the most popular and complete option. Morning departure, a dolphin stop in Tamarin bay, sailing to Crystal Rock, a visit to Ile aux Benitiers, a barbecue on board or on the island, and a return in the late afternoon. Duration: 6 to 7 hours. Our guide to catamaran outings covers all the options available.

You can book this catamaran excursion to Ile aux Benitiers with dolphin watching online with instant confirmation.

From Le Morne: a few water-sports operators at Le Morne offer combined excursions to the island. Given the short distance (around 5 km), this option is a logistically convenient one for guests staying at resorts on the peninsula.

What you need to know about access

Ile aux Benitiers is technically a private island, but access is free for visitors arriving by boat on the beaches. There are no official entry fees — organised excursions naturally include transport.

No road or taxi can drop you off at the island: it’s an island, and the sea is the only way in. So plan to first make your way to La Preneuse or Rivière Noire from your hotel (around 45 minutes from Grand Baie, 20 minutes from Flic-en-Flac). If you don’t have a rental car, your accommodation can usually arrange a taxi or include the transfer as part of the excursion package.

Crystal Rock: the legendary rock formation

Almost every excursion to Ile aux Benitiers stops at Crystal Rock, one of the most photographed spots in Mauritius. It’s a rock that emerges from the lagoon, roughly halfway between the coast and the island, surrounded by remarkably clear water.

Crystal Rock is actually the emerged top of a coral formation. The waters around it are shallow (1 to 3 metres) and crystal clear, with a bed of brilliant white sand and colourful coral visible from the surface. It’s one of those sights that makes you want to jump straight into the water.

Activities around Crystal Rock

Snorkelling: the shallow water and rich coral around Crystal Rock make it an outstanding snorkelling spot. Tropical fish, small rays, anemones, and colourful sponges are all easy to spot without much effort.

Photos and souvenirs: the rock emerging from this surreal lagoon is extremely photogenic. Many boats stop here to let passengers swim up to the rock and pose for memorable photos — one of the iconic images of Mauritius.

Swimming: the waters around Crystal Rock are among the best on the island for a swim, with temperatures between 25 and 29°C and perfect visibility down to the seabed.

Activities on Ile aux Benitiers

The beaches: isolation and wild beauty

Ile aux Benitiers has several small, fine white-sand beaches, quiet and unspoiled. The main beach on the west side offers a direct view of Le Morne Brabant and its steep slopes — an unforgettable panorama you won’t find anywhere else. The east-side beach faces the inner lagoon and its calmer waters.

The island’s vegetation is dense and tropical: casuarina and takamaka trees shade the beaches, while the coastal vegetation is rich in plants typical of Mauritius’s shores. The island is also home to a colony of fruit bats (flying foxes) that roost in the trees during the day — an easy-to-spot natural curiosity if you look up while walking under the canopy.

The absence of permanent buildings, hotels, or fixed restaurants is one of Ile aux Benitiers’s great strengths. Unlike Ile aux Cerfs, which has a developed tourist infrastructure, Ile aux Benitiers has remained in an almost pristine state. That authenticity is what makes it a different, more intimate experience.

Snorkelling: a reef in good condition

The reef surrounding Ile aux Benitiers is in excellent condition compared with many other Mauritian sites. The low human pressure — a result of access being possible only by sea — has helped preserve the coral remarkably well.

You can spot colonies of staghorn coral, brain coral, clownfish in their anemones, camouflaged scorpionfish on the seabed, green turtles grazing on seagrass, and occasionally guitarfish resting on the white sand. Catamaran excursions usually include mask, snorkel and fins — but bring your own if you have them, as the equipment provided on board is often standard quality.

Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking

The calm lagoon waters around the island are perfect for SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) and kayaking. Some excursion operators bring boards on board for a session between other activities. Paddling around the island, along its beaches and exploring its coastal nooks from the water is an enjoyable, active way to see the island from a different angle.

Scuba diving

Dive spots exist around the island for certified divers. The seabed drops quickly to several dozen metres beyond the reef, allowing for technical dives for the more experienced. Diving operators from the west coast run trips to these spots on request.

The dolphins of Tamarin Bay

Most excursions to Ile aux Benitiers include a stop in Tamarin bay to watch — and sometimes swim with — the spinner dolphins that gather there every morning. This combination in a single day is one of the most popular on the island.

Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) come to rest in Tamarin Bay after a night of hunting out at sea. They’re usually present from 7am to 10am, in groups ranging from dozens to hundreds of individuals. Swimming among these animals is an absolutely spectacular experience — spinner dolphins are known for their acrobatic behaviour (spectacular jumps and spins out of the water).

Reputable operators keep a respectful distance and don’t chase the dolphins if they move away. For detailed ethical guidance on this activity, our guide to swimming with dolphins is a must-read.

Catamaran excursions: the ideal option

Why choose a catamaran

The catamaran excursion is the most complete way to visit Ile aux Benitiers. A catamaran is both the most stable way to sail across the lagoon, the most comfortable for passengers who want to relax or lounge in the sun, and an excellent launch point for water activities.

On board, you’ll typically find a front deck ideal for sunbathing, a trampoline net (catamaran nets) for trailing in the water while under sail — a unique feeling — and a shaded area to escape the midday sun.

What excursions typically include

The standard catamaran package usually includes: return transport from your hotel or a set meeting point, sailing to Tamarin Bay for the dolphins (optional depending on the operator), a snorkelling stop at Crystal Rock, 2 to 3 hours of free time on Ile aux Benitiers, a barbecue or lunch on board (grilled fish, prawns, fresh salad), unlimited drinks (rum, fruit juice, water), mask, snorkel and fins, and life jackets.

Price and duration

• Full 6-7 hour excursion (dolphins + Crystal Rock + island): 70 to 100 EUR per adult
• Children aged 3 to 12: 35 to 55 EUR
• Children under 3: often free or a token fee
• Private excursion (chartered catamaran for a group): 800 to 1,500 EUR for 8 to 15 people

To check availability and book your catamaran trip to Ile aux Benitiers for your dates, browse the offers online and compare the available packages.

Value for money is excellent once you factor in transport, meals and all activities. To put it in the context of your overall budget, our Mauritius budget guide offers useful points of comparison.

Recommended operators

Kestrel Flyer operates from Rivière Noire with several high-quality catamarans. French-speaking staff, and a well-regarded barbecue — one of the best on the south-west coast.

Mauritius Catamaran Charter runs excursions aboard 12 to 15-metre catamarans with a maximum of 20 passengers, striking a good balance between group atmosphere and comfort.

Aventure Nautique Tamarin specialises in small groups (12 people maximum) for a more intimate excursion, with an educational angle on marine wildlife.

Book ahead in high season (July-August and December-January) — spots are limited and the best time slots (morning departures) fill up quickly.

Ile aux Benitiers vs Ile aux Cerfs: which one to choose?

This question comes up often among travellers who can only fit in one island excursion. Here are the key differences:

Ile aux Cerfs (east coast) is bigger, more accessible, and busier. It has a developed tourist infrastructure: restaurants, a bar, golf, and buoy and jet-ski rentals. The atmosphere is lively and festive. The lagoon on the east coast is spectacular, with some of the most photographed shades of blue on the island. The visit to Ile aux Cerfs is often the highlight of a trip to Mauritius.

Ile aux Benitiers (west coast) is smaller, wilder, and quieter. No fixed restaurant, no permanent tourist infrastructure. The atmosphere is more natural and intimate. The view of Le Morne is unique. Combining it with the Tamarin dolphins in a single day is a strong draw.

If you’re based on the east coast: Ile aux Cerfs is the obvious choice. If you’re on the west coast or at Le Morne: Ile aux Benitiers is the natural excursion. If you have time: do both — they offer complementary experiences.

Criterion	Ile aux Benitiers	Ile aux Cerfs
Atmosphere	Wild, intimate, quiet	Lively, festive, very busy
Infrastructure	None (no fixed restaurant)	Developed (restaurants, golf, bar)
Highlight	Le Morne view + Tamarin dolphins	Range of water activities
Average excursion price	70 to 100 EUR/adult	50 to 80 EUR/adult
Best for	Couples, nature lovers	Families, groups

Staying over and extending your trip on the south-west coast

If Ile aux Benitiers has convinced you to stay in the south-west, several inland areas are worth exploring further. The guided hike up Le Morne Brabant, compulsory for its summit section, offers a sweeping view over the lagoon and the island itself — a great way to complete the experience from land after seeing it from the sea.

Couples particularly enjoy this sea-and-mountain combination; our guide to activities for a couple’s getaway lists other ideas in the same spirit. For accommodation, the Tamarin and La Gaulette areas are the most convenient for fitting in multiple outings in the south-west lagoon without spending hours on the road each morning.

Safety and environmental responsibility

Sailing in the south-west lagoon is generally safe, but a few precautions are worth taking. The reef passes, where currents can be stronger, are reserved for experienced boat operators — something reputable operators handle without issue. For swimmers, the main risk remains sunburn, which is widely underestimated at sea, where the breeze masks the feeling of heat. Our Mauritius safety guide covers the general precautions to know for any stay.

Environmentally, Ile aux Benitiers owes its preservation to its restricted access. Using mineral sunscreen, not taking anything from the seabed, and choosing operators who keep a reasonable distance from the Tamarin dolphins are simple gestures that help keep this site in the state that makes it so special.

Practical tips to make the most of it

Leave early. The dolphins are present in Tamarin Bay in the morning. If meeting the dolphins is a priority, choose an excursion departing before 8am.

Protect yourself from the sun. Several hours at sea and on white-sand beach carry a real risk of severe sunburn, even under light cloud. High-protection mineral sunscreen (biodegradable, to protect the coral), a hat, and a UV-protective shirt. Reapply sunscreen regularly, especially after snorkelling sessions.

Stay hydrated. Even though drinks are included on excursions, drink regularly. Heat combined with sea salt and water-based physical activity dehydrates you faster than you’d think.

Bring your own fins. Those provided on board catamarans are often standard size and basic quality. If you have your own fins and mask, the snorkelling experience is much better.

Respect the island. Ile aux Benitiers is a rare and preserved natural space. Leave no litter, don’t collect shells or pieces of coral, and don’t feed the wildlife. Your respect helps preserve this site for future generations.

Ile aux Benitiers is one of the reasons so many visitors fall in love with Mauritius’s south-west coast. Its combination of a turquoise lagoon among the island’s most beautiful, wild beaches without infrastructure, preserved marine richness, and spectacular views of Le Morne make it a destination well worth the trip from anywhere on the island.