Mauritius Dolphin Tour: Our Private Sunrise with Vitamin Sea

This was the morning I was most excited about in Mauritius, and it lived up to every bit of it. We set off at around 5:30, while it was still dark, just the two of us with a skipper and a photographer. For the first hour we had the dolphins completely to ourselves! It felt so different from our bigger northern catamaran outing, and it became one of the highlights of our month.

Quick answer: what was the experience?

We joined Vitamin Sea's private sunrise outing from the Black River area. In about three hours we swam with a pod of spinner dolphins three times before any other boats arrived, snorkelled the reef in front of Le Morne beach, stopped at Crystal Rock and had coffee, tea and banana bread on board. Vitamin Sea hosted us for this experience, so we didn't pay for it. For context, we were told it would normally be roughly €500 to €700 for two people, including the photographer. Dan called it one of the best tours we've done in a long time, and I completely agree.

Why the private format felt different

Our boat had us, a skipper and a photographer, and that was it. The boat itself was lovely and the crew were so nice. Compared with the northern-islands catamaran, where we shared the day with 25 to 30 other people, it was a much more personal morning.

They're different experiences rather than a cheaper and a pricier version of the same thing. The catamaran was a sociable island-and-lunch day from Grand Baie. The sunrise trip was about an early start, the dolphins and the water around Le Morne. If you're comparing an itinerary, look at the departure area and route as well as the word “boat”.

Use Vitamin Sea's actual sunrise page for inquiries, and ask for the private sunrise with photography specifically, because that's the outing we did.

The early departure

We were staying in Tamarin during this part of the trip, and the boat left from the Black River area. It was almost 5:30 when we set off and still dark outside. We'd swum with dolphins once before, in Zanzibar, so I knew how special it could be, and I couldn't wait!

The sea was beautifully flat that morning despite a little rain, and as the sun came up the clouds were reflecting on the water. Start times change with the season, so go by the meeting point and time Vitamin Sea gives you when you book.

I'd keep the rest of the day light too. Being out that early is lovely, but I wouldn't attach a tightly timed inland tour to the end and hope everything runs to schedule.

Dolphins in open water

It didn't take long at all to find a pod of spinner dolphins. On the way out we learned that both spinner and bottlenose dolphins live in these waters. Then we got in and swam with them, three times, before any other boats were around. You don't touch them; you just get to be in the water with them in their own space.

Honestly, it was magical. They were so calm and relaxed, and really playful, and there were little babies going around too. One of them kept swimming in different directions and going up and down like he was trying to get everyone's attention! Dolphins are one of my favourite animals in the world, and swimming with them is such an unexplainable feeling. This was my second time, and it felt extra special.

When we were done, we watched them from the boat as we slowly left the area, and they kept swimming back up to us, almost like they wanted to keep hanging out. We couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces!

Sightings are never guaranteed, so before you book, ask the operator how they approach the dolphins and when they'd decide not to get in the water. The Mauritius Tourism Authority is the place to check official information.

The lagoon, Le Morne and Crystal Rock

After the dolphins, we went to snorkel the reef in front of Le Morne beach, and look at that water and that mountain behind it! Le Morne has my favourite beach in Mauritius, and snorkelling there was so much fun. We saw so many different types of fish, and they were super curious and friendly. We picked a really good day for it.

This is also the area famous for the underwater waterfall illusion you see from the air or from the top of the mountain. On the way back we stopped at Crystal Rock, a rock and coral formation sitting on its own in the middle of crystal-clear water, with little trees growing out of it. Our guide explained it's a mix of volcanic rock and coral, and we decided it looks like a UFO, just made of rock. We had one more little swim there and then headed back to the marina.

Our stops suited that day's conditions, so ask what's planned for yours when you book.

We were back at Le Morne the very next morning, walking the beach this time, and it was just as beautiful from the sand. Our planned hike was another story, because it was closed when we went. The beach guide covers that stretch of coast and the beaches we loved most.

Photography and the little details

Having a photographer with us was a big part of the morning. He filmed on a GoPro 13 and captured the dolphins so beautifully, and I love having pictures of both of us in the water rather than every memory being one person behind the camera. If that's important to you, ask whether photography is included in your quote and how the images are delivered.

He also gave us one of the best tips of our trip. When I asked him where the locals love to eat, he sent us to Palais de Barbizon in Chamarel, and we went for the set lunch there later in our trip.

On board there was coffee, tea and banana bread, and the banana bread was amazing! It's a snack rather than a breakfast cruise or a lunch tour, so if you have a dietary need, mention it when you book.

The questions I'd ask before booking

Ask which private sunrise product matches this trip, the departure point and start time for your season, how long it's expected to take and which stops depend on conditions. Then confirm photography, equipment, refreshments and the full price for your group.

I'd also ask about swimming requirements, cancellation terms and how a weather-related change is handled. These aren't details to leave until you're standing at the boat.

You can contact Vitamin Sea through its website or official Instagram. Because our morning was hosted, the roughly €500 to €700 for two we were told is a guide only, so get your own quote for your date.

Where I'd stay around this part of the trip

Tamarin worked for our west-coast routine, with a car to connect the apartment, our favourite food stops and outings like this one. With a start this early, check the drive from your exact property to the meeting point the night before.

For an apartment-led stay, I'd compare LAKAZ DEL SOL and Endless Summer Apartments, alongside our actual stay context in the Mauritius accommodation guide. The Tamarin guide explains why we liked the area beyond this one outing.

For a short holiday, use the ten-day route to leave a flexible boat window, because sunrise conditions won't always cooperate on one fixed morning. I'd absolutely make room for this experience again!

Watch our Mauritius trip

Watch our Mauritius vlog on YouTube, 45m21s. This is also our newest public full-length video, verified for this article.

FAQs about our Vitamin Sea experience

Was this experience gifted?

Yes. Vitamin Sea hosted our private sunrise, so we didn't pay for it. We were told it would normally be roughly €500 to €700 for two people including the photographer; get a current quote for your own booking.

Was it a full-day cruise?

No. It was the private sunrise outing, about three hours from our early start to getting back to the marina. Ask for that product rather than booking a different full-day option.

Are dolphins or underwater photos guaranteed?

No. We found a pod of spinners quickly and swam with them three times, but wildlife and conditions vary. Ask the operator about its approach to the dolphins and photography before booking.

Did you book through GetYourGuide?

No. Our morning was arranged directly with Vitamin Sea, and the links here go to the actual operator, not a substitute tour sold as ours.