Whale Watching in Mauritius 2024

When whales devote themselves to their romantic activities, it’s a great time for tourists to see these majestic creatures up close among the beautiful landscapes of Mauritius. The lagoons and beaches of Mauritius islands offer a perfect chance to enjoy the sight of whales from a whale-watching boat.

Whale Watching Season

While whales are present in the waters year-round, you have the best chance of spotting them from July through November. During this time, humpback whales are stopping at Mauritius during their annual migration. Sperm whales, on the other hand, can be seen at any time throughout the year. You have a solid chance to meet humpback and sperm whales on the islands. However, it still takes some luck, as the chance of encountering these creatures varies around 60-90%, depending on the species and time of the year.

Best Places to See Whales

The best place to see whales near Mauritius is off the south-western coast of the island. West coast is an especially frequented destination, with Flic-en-Flac beach, Morne Brabant peninsula, and Tamarin village experiencing a lot of whale sightings. Whale watching tours depart from Grande Riviere Noire. Small boats with capacity of up to 10 people usually depart from Tamarin village.

Whale Watching Tours

Several operators offer whale-watching excursions across Mauritius. The trips generally last 3-5 hours and take place in the early morning and afternoon. The prices generally vary from around 16,000 to 28,000 Mauritian Rupees for a group of four. If you didn't spot any whales, there’s usually no cash refund, but some operators offer free vouchers for another whale-watching trip. Operators often use hydrophones to locate the whales by their sounds.

Rivière Noire

Whale Dream operator offers whale-watching excursions in the Rivière Noire district year-round. The excursions typically take place at 6 am and 9 am, with an average length of 3 hours. Group tour prices range from 16,000 Mauritian Rupees to 28,000 Mauritian Rupees. The ships depart from Colonel Dean Avenue in the Black River district. The operator also offers dolphin excursions and snorkeling on the reef.

Species of Whales at Mauritius

Choose a day when the waters are the calmest, rent a tour, and head to the deep seas to witness this unforgettable sight. There are quite a few different types of whales you can find around Mauritius— migrating humpbacks, dense-beaked whales, southern-beaked whales, dwarf sperm whales, and the most famous, the sperm whale.

Humpback Whales

Humpback whales migrate to Mauritius to give birth to their calves from July to November. During breeding, whale-watchers can hear the unique call of humpback whales, reminiscent of a haunting melody. Humpback whales can reach 49 feet (15 m) in length and weigh up to 40 tons. Female species are more likely to be found near the shore, while males can be seen swimming offshore, in the vast ocean waters.

Sperm Whales

Sperm whales, also known as cachalots, are permanent residents in Mauritius waters, and they can be observed there all year round. These giants grow up to 60 feet (18 m) long and can weigh up to 50 tons. They also tend to swim in groups of ten or more. While female sperm whales and younger males tend to group together in pods, mature male individuals prefer to stay alone. Male sperm whales are also more likely to migrate to other waters for breeding purposes.

Other Wildlife in Mauritius

Besides whales, you might be lucky to witness the riches of Mauritius marine life during your whale-watching experience. Dolphins are quite common here, particularly bottlenose and the spinner species. They generally swim in pods of 12 or 15 dolphins and can be spotted from early morning until noon. Pilot whales can also be spotted in Mauritius, but they tend to swim deeper in the waters. Among other creatures, you can see stingrays, barracuda, and other magnificent species.