Photo: Gabriel Barathieu (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Sea and islands · Mauritius
Whale and dolphin watching by boat
A private boat from the west coast to the deep water where sperm whales live all year and humpbacks pass in winter. For anglers, a day of deep-sea fishing.
The West Coast · Mauritius
The experience
Off the west coast the island's rocky base drops quickly to great depth, so whales come closer to Mauritius than to most destinations. Sperm whales live in these waters all year, diving beyond 1,000 m for squid; the best months to see them are March to December.
Between July and October humpback whales arrive from Antarctic waters to breed in the Indian Ocean, known for their breaching and their song. Boats usually leave from Tamarin Bay or Black River, and you may meet dolphins in the bay on the way.
We book a private boat with an operator who keeps to the rules: at least 100 m from the whales, no feeding, touching or swimming with them, and no sudden movements of the boat. You see them as they are, undisturbed.
For anglers we arrange a day of deep-sea fishing in waters rich in big fish; the best season runs from October to April. A half-day in the morning, when the sea is calmer, has you back at your resort by midday.
Where to stay
Stays close by
Beachfront
The West Coast
Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa
A renovated five-star resort on Flic en Flac beach on the west coast, with Le Morne Brabant on the horizon. Beachfront family suites, four restaurants and a full spa.
Price on requestExplore
Private villa
The West Coast
Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa
A villas-only resort on the west coast of Mauritius, set in 24 acres with a 750-metre beach. Every villa has a heated pool, and the spa is led by a resident Ayurvedic doctor.
Price on requestExplore
Beachfront
The West Coast
Sofitel Mauritius L'Impérial Resort & Spa
A west-coast resort shaped by Asian architecture, in 9 hectares of gardens facing the mountains, home to the first Sofitel Spa with L'Occitane in the Indian Ocean. Two pools, one with a swim-up bar, a Japanese garden and five restaurants, all facing the ocean.
Price on requestExplore
Mauritius
More to do
Sea and islands
A private catamaran day to Île aux Cerfs
A private catamaran across the east-coast lagoon to Île aux Cerfs. Swimming, snorkelling and lunch on board, with a stop at the Grand River South East waterfall.
Discover
Adventure
A flight over Le Morne and the underwater waterfall
A helicopter flight over the Le Morne peninsula to see the underwater waterfall, which can only be seen from the air. Mountain, lagoon and ocean in one view.
Discover
Nature
Climbing Le Morne Brabant
A trail to the cross near the top of a 556 m mountain on the UNESCO list. It starts gently through forest, ends in a rocky scramble, and rewards you with the whole lagoon below.
Discover