Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Mauritius with a Toddler: Our Honest Review
- minna
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Swimming with dolphins in the wild has been on my bucket list for a long time. When we planned our Mauritius itinerary, I knew this was the one activity that was going to be included regardless of anything else.
What I had not fully worked out in advance was what it would actually look like doing this with my three year old daughter. The short answer is that she came on the speedboat, watched the dolphins safely from the side, snorkelled at a separate sheltered reef with us, ate a massive barbecue lunch, and had an absolutely wonderful time.
If you are currently planning a family trip and wondering how to manage the logistics, here is our honest guide to what a wild dolphin tour actually involves with young kids.
Book our exact tour here: Mauritius Swim with Dolphins Full-Day with Lunch and Drinks
(Use the GetYourGuide app and apply the code TODDLERTRAVELDIARIES5 to get 5% off your total booking price)
What the Full Day Tour Involves
The dolphin tours depart early in the morning from the west coast of Mauritius, usually near Black River or Tamarin Bay. This is because the resident spinner and bottlenose dolphins come close to the shore early in the day to feed. Expect to be at the departure point by 7:30am. The tour above offers hotel pickup for an additional fee, which is well worth considering as it took us a while to find a taxi that would come pick us up so we weren't late, trust me and save yourself the hassle.
The tour we chose was a full day speedboat trip lasting around six hours, which covered four distinct stops along the coast.
The Dolphin Swim
The boat heads out into Tamarin Bay in search of the pods, joining a small fleet of other local boats. When a pod is found, the captain positions the boat and you jump off the back into the open ocean to swim near them. This is where the chase element that nobody quite prepares you for comes into play. Wild dolphins move incredibly fast. You are in deep water swimming as hard as you can while they glide effortlessly beneath you. You will feel like you are constantly playing catch up, but the moment you get close enough to see them clearly underwater, hear their clicks, and watch them playfully swim around, it is so extraordinary that the exhausting swim feels completely worth it. We went into the water four times, with the crew expertly managing the timing. Snorkels, masks, and flippers are all provided on board.
The Coral Reef Snorkel
Following the open water swim, the boat anchors at a beautiful sheltered reef known as the Aquarium. The water here is perfectly calm, shallow, and packed with a huge variety of tropical fish. This was the stop where our daughter was able to join us in the water.
Crystal Rock
This is a famous natural rock formation sitting entirely on its own in the middle of the turquoise lagoon near Le Morne. The surrounding water is crystal clear and shallow, offering striking views back towards the iconic Le Morne mountain. We were offered the opportunity to snorkel around here but we all decided to head straight to the island to have lunch instead.
Île aux Bénitiers Lunch
Our final stop was this beautiful small island in the lagoon, where a full beach barbecue was set up on the sand. While we were out snorkelling, the crew prepared grilled fish, chicken, sausages, fresh salads, bread, and fruit. They also provided a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There is plenty of time to relax on the beach after eating, and our daughter happily found a patch of soft sand to play in for nearly an hour.
The Reality of Open Ocean Swimming
The experience of swimming with wild dolphins is real and magical, but there are two practical things parents should know before booking so you are properly prepared.
First, sightings are never 100% guaranteed. These are wild animals living in the open ocean. While the west coast has an incredibly high success rate because the Tamarin Bay population is so consistent, they can occasionally move out of reach or sea conditions might prevent a swim.
Second, this is not a calm lagoon experience. The dolphin swim happens in deep, open water and requires a reasonable level of swimming confidence. You are expected to jump in quickly and swim hard to keep up with the pod. Because of this, the dolphin section is not suitable for young children to be in the water.
What Toddlers and Young Kids Can Actually Do
Our daughter was three at the time. Here is exactly how she could safely enjoy the day still.
Firstly, she stayed securely on the speedboat during the actual dolphin swims. My husband and I took turns and one of us would jump into the water while the other stayed on board to watch her. This worked perfectly. She could see the dolphins jumping from the side of the boat, and watch one of us trying to swim and catch up which she found incredibly exciting.
At the Aquarium snorkelling stop, we both went into the sea with her. She wore a kids life jacket they provided but we instead decided to just use the armbands we had brought with us as she found it more comfortable. The water was so calm that she felt entirely safe floating with us. She dipped her face in to look at the reef before deciding she preferred being held while pointing at the colourful fish from the surface.
If you are travelling with an older child who is a strong, confident swimmer, they may be able to join the dolphin swim with close supervision depending on the sea conditions on the day. For a toddler, plan to take turns in the water, keep them on the boat for the deep swim, and bring your own swimming aids for the reef stops.
A Quick Checklist of What to Pack
Water shoes: The coral and sand entry points around the lunch island can be uneven. Andy cut hit foot on some coral when we snorkrlled so water shoes will protect your feet and provide great grip.
A dry bag: Essential on a speedboat day to keep your phones, dry clothes, and towels safe from sea spray.
An underwater camera: The underwater visibility at the reef is brilliant, making it perfect for a waterproof camera.
Armbands: Although lifejackets were provided we use armbands because they were more comfortable for her to swim around in
Sun protection: You are out on open water for six hours with very little shade. Apply a high factor sunscreen before you leave then bring it with you, and reapply after every swim. Don't forget sun hats and a light layer for the boat rides.
Toddler snacks: The barbecue lunch is incredibly generous, but the morning swim section takes up a few hours. Bring familiar snacks to keep hangry tantrums at bay before you reach the island.
How to Book the Experience
The full day trip lasts around six hours from departure to return. I highly recommend securing your spots online before you arrive in Mauritius, as the best small group operators sell out quickly throughout the year.
Book our exact tour here: Mauritius Swim with Dolphins Full-Day with Lunch and Drinks
(Use the GetYourGuide app and use the code TODDLERTRAVELDIARIES5 to get 5% off your total booking price)
Why It Is Absolutely Worth Booking
This was a major bucket list experience for me and it delivered completely. Hearing them clicking underwater and swimming alongside them is a memory I will keep forever.
For our complete day by day route across the island, be sure to read our 2 Weeks in Mauritius with Young Kids guide. If you are trying to decide which coast to base your family on, our Where to Stay in Mauritius with Kids article breaks down the best family friendly accommodation options across the north, south, east, and west from a family who stayed all over in 6 different places in 2 weeks.
