Observation only – swimming is strictly prohibited since 2020 following incidents (tourists too close to the propellers, stress for whales during the breeding season).

The species

Humpback whale

• Season: July to November (peak August-September)
• Migration from Antarctica
• Spectacular jumps possible

Sperm whale

• Present all year round
• Resident family known for 10 years
• Detection by hydrophone (listening to their clicks)

Practical information

• Authorized times: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM only
• Area : Off the west coast (starting from Grande Rivière Noire)
• Indicative price: 3,000 to 4,500 rupees per person
• Duration : 3-5 hours
• Success rate: 60-90% depending on the season and weather

Why is swimming prohibited?

• Animal protection: Stress, disruption of calf breastfeeding
• Security : Risk of injury from propellers (several documented cases)
• Legislation: Criminal offence (Fisheries Act 2023, Section 27)

Exception : Only authorized scientific missions are allowed to approach.

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🐢 Sea turtles: a special situation

Crucial point: Since the Fisheries Act 2023, Swimming commercially with turtles is illegal.

The reality on the ground

The problem : Many operators continue to offer "turtle" excursions (especially in Trou-aux-Biches, Îlot Gabriel, and Blue Bay). This practice:

• It has been illegal since 2023
• Stresses the turtles (difficulty eating and breathing)
• Risk of disease transmission
• This exposes you to fines.

What the law says

FORBIDDEN :

• ❌ Swim with turtles on paid excursions
• ❌ Feeding the turtles (very bad for their health)
• ❌ Touch the turtles
• ❌ Harassing or chasing turtles

What should you do if you come across a turtle?

Free snorkeling in the lagoon: You can observe it!

• Keep a minimum distance of 3-5 meters
• Don't pursue her
• Don't touch her
• Don't feed her
• Let her go about her natural activities

The turtles of Mauritius:

• Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) – the most common
• Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) – rarer
• Both are classified as "endangered"

Why is it forbidden?

• Critically endangered protected species
• Feeding creates a dependency (they no longer hunt).
• The harassment prevents them from eating and breathing
• Only 4 egg-layings recorded in Mauritius in 20 years

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💡 Our tips for a successful experience

Before booking

Check that the operator:

• Holds an official license from the Tourism Authority
• Clearly displays its certificate on the boat
• Offers a briefing on the rules to be followed
• Work in small groups (ideally 10 max)
• Uses a hydrophone to locate sperm whales (less disturbance)

Red flags (warning signs):

• 🚩 Offers swimming with whales/sperm whales
• 🚩 Offers a commercial "turtle" outing
• 🚩 Promises "100% chance to swim with dolphins"
• 🚩 No license visible
• 🚩 Groups of 20 people

D-Day

To be expected:

• Reef-safe sunscreen (biodegradable)
• Seasickness medication if you are prone to it (the sea may be rough)
• Water and snacks
• Towel and change of clothes
• Waterproof camera if you're swimming

Behavior at sea:

• Remain calm and quiet when approaching animals
• Follow the instructions of the skipper and the guide
• Do not lean overboard without permission
• Don't throw anything into the water

Combining activities?

Dolphin and whale watching excursions available (July-November)

• Very early departure (5:30-6:00 am)
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Price: 4,000 to 6,000 rupees per person
• More tiring but a complete experience

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🚨 What are the risks of committing an offence?

The regulations are taken seriously by the Mauritian authorities.

For tourists:

• Fines (amounts vary depending on severity)
• Possible travel ban in case of non-payment
• Reminder: you are responsible even if it is the operator who is offering the illegal activity

For operators:

• License withdrawal
• Heavy fines
• Confiscation of the boat
• Possible prison sentences

How to report an offence?

• Tourism Authority: 230 210 8715
• National Coast Guard: 999 (sea emergencies)
• Ministry of Blue Economy: 230 211 2470

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📅 Calendar of the best periods

Best overall period: August-September to combine dolphin and whale watching

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swim with turtles if I happen to encounter them while snorkeling? Yes, you can observe them from a distance (minimum 3-5m). What is prohibited are commercial excursions specifically organized to swim with them.

Why do some operators still offer turtle excursions when it's prohibited? Lack of controls and ignorance of the 2023 law. Do not participate in these activities, you would be in violation.

Do the prices include equipment? Generally yes (mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket). Check when booking.

Do I need to be a good swimmer to swim with dolphins? Yes, you must be comfortable in the water. Children under 7 are often refused entry.

What happens if we don't see any animals? It depends on the operator. Many offer a voucher for a future outing, but rarely a refund. Check the policy before booking.

Can I watch dolphins from the beach? Yes! Sunsets on the beaches of the west (Maradiva, Sands) – dolphins sometimes pass close to the shore.

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📞 Useful contacts

Booking and information:

• Tourism Authority 230 210 8715 | info@tourism-authority.mu
• Ministry of Blue Economy : +230 211 2470

Maritime emergencies:

• National Coast Guard : 999
• Police : 999 / 112

conservation NGO (to learn more about animal protection):

• M2CO (Marine Megafauna Conservation): Facebook @MMCOMauritius
• Mauritius Marine Conservation Society www.mmcs.mu

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🌊 Key takeaways

✅ YOU CAN:

• Watching dolphins and whales from a boat
• Swimming with dolphins (with a licensed operator)
• Observe the turtles from a distance while snorkeling.

❌ YOU CANNOT:

• Swimming with whales and sperm whales
• Participate in "turtle" commercial excursions
• Feeding or touching the animals

🎯 KEY TIPS:

• Choose a licensed operator (Tourism Authority)
• Small, exclusive groups
• Respect social distancing and guidelines.
• Choose quality at a low price
• Report illegal practices

By respecting these rules, you will contribute to the protection of these extraordinary animals while enjoying a magical experience in the turquoise waters of Mauritius!

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TO GO FURTHER: Detailed information

This section is for those who wish to understand in detail the regulations, legal texts, and technical aspects.

📋 Complete legislative framework

Tourism Authority (Dolphin and Whale Watching) Regulations 2012

Effective November 1, 2012, this regulation establishes:

Safety zones around dolphins:

• Exclusion zone: 50-meter radius (no entry)
• Restricted area: 50 to 150 meters (regulated approach)

Safety zones around whales:

• Exclusion zone: 100-meter radius (prohibited)
• Restricted area: 100 to 200 meters (regulated approach)

Navigation rules:

• Approach only from the side (never from the front or rear)
• "No-wake" speed in the restricted area
• Engine in neutral when stationary
• Crossing a group of dolphins is prohibited.
• Maintaining a constant speed when dolphins are bow-riding

Required licenses:

• Tourist license for operators
• Certificate for skippers (after training)
• Additional license for swimming with dolphins
• Propeller guards are mandatory
• Certified lifeguard on board (for swimming)

Fisheries Act 2023

Promulgated on December 12, 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023), this major text strengthens protection:

Article 27 – Marine Mammals:

• Ban on the whaling trade
• Obligation to avoid entanglement in the nets
• Developing good practices to reduce underwater noise
• Fishing nets are prohibited around marine mammals or whale sharks.

Article 33 – Sea Turtles:

• Fishing, storing, landing, selling or possessing turtles is prohibited.
• It is forbidden to take, swim with (for recreational purposes), harass, intentionally feed or kill sea turtles.
• It is forbidden to take, harass, feed or kill marine mammals.

Sanctions:

• Criminal offences
• Significant fines (variable amounts)
• Confiscation of equipment
• Banning order
• Imprisonment in serious cases

Regulatory authorities

Fisheries Control Officers:

• Fisheries protection officers
• Police and National Coast Guard
• Customs officers
• Inspectors from the Ministry of Tourism

Powers:

• Boat inspection
• License control
• Seizure in case of an offense
• Criminal proceedings

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🐋 Biology and conservation of species

The dolphins of Mauritius

Long-beaked dolphin (Stenella longirostris)

• Length: 1.80-2.10 meters
• Weight: 60-80 kg
• Behavior: Acrobatic jumps (hence the name "spinner")
• Groups of 12 to 100 individuals
• Resident population on the west coast

Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

• Length: 2.50-4 meters
• Weight: 150-650 kg
• More robust and less acrobatic
• Smaller groups (5-15 individuals)
• Present all year round

Threats:

• Noise pollution (boats)
• Collisions with propellers
• Stress related to excessive tourism
• Water pollution

Whales and sperm whales

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

• Length: up to 16 meters
• Weight: approximately 36 tonnes
• Migration: Antarctica → Mauritius (southern winter)
• They come to reproduce and give birth
• Complex songs of the males
• Spectacular jumps possible
• Classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, but the Indian Ocean population is fragile.

Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

• Length: up to 18 meters
• Weight: up to 50 tonnes
• Deep dives (up to 2000 meters)
• It feeds primarily on giant squid.
• Click-based communication (echolocation)
• Resident family studied for 10 years
• Classified as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN

Threats:

• Collisions with ships
• Noise pollution (disruption of echolocation)
• Plastic pollution
• Entanglement in fishing nets
• Climate change

Sea turtles of Mauritius

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

• Length: 80-120 cm
• Weight: 70-150 kg
• Herbivore (algae, seagrass)
• Reaches sexual maturity around 25-30 years old
• Classified as "Endangered" by the IUCN

Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

• Length: 60-90 cm
• Weight: 40-90 kg
• Characteristic pointed beak
• It feeds on sponges and invertebrates.
• Classified as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN

Critical situation:

• Only 4 nesting events recorded in Mauritius in 20 years (Gris-Gris, La Cambuse, Île Plate)
• Mauritius is a feeding ground, not a breeding ground.
• Threats: pollution, accidental fishing, coastal development, unregulated tourism

Impact of feeding:

• Addiction to human food
• Abandonment of natural hunting behaviors
• Digestive problems (unsuitable food)
• Increase in illnesses
• Changes in migration routes

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🔬 Scientific and conservation initiatives

M2CO (Marine Megafauna Conservation Organization)

Missions:

• Research on the resident sperm whales of the west coast
• Photo identification of individuals
• Study of migratory behaviors and routes
• Assessment of the impact of tourism
• Funding: Mauritius Research Council

Protocol:

• 10 days shipping, 4 times a year
• Use of hydrophones
• Non-invasive biological sampling
• International collaboration

Marine Discovery Centre (Attitude Hotels)

Focus on sea turtles:

• Photo identification via TORSOOI software
• Each turtle is identified by its unique facial scales
• Abundance studies (Manta-tow method)
• Genetic and isotopic analyses
• collaborative database

Citizen participation:

• Photographing the turtles (right and left profile)
• Transmit via QR code
• Contribution to scientific research

Actions:

• Training for tourism operators
• Raising awareness in schools
• A plea for strengthening legislation

Mauritius Marine Conservation Society (MMCS)

Activities :

• Awareness programs
• Beach cleanup
• Monitoring turtle nesting
• Environmental education
• Conservation lobbying

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🌍 International comparison

Mauritius vs other destinations

Tonga: Swimming with humpback whales is permitted but very strictly supervised (1 guide, 4 swimmers max, distance 10m)

French Polynesia: Swimming with whales is permitted under strict conditions.

Australia: Observation only, swimming prohibited

Azores (Portugal): Swimming with dolphins is permitted; whale watching is only allowed.

Dominique: Swimming with sperm whales is permitted (one of the few destinations).

Mexico (Cancun): Swimming with turtles is very popular but controversial.

➡️ Mauritius is positioned among the most protective destinations, with a precautionary approach prioritizing animal welfare.

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📊 Key figures for marine tourism in Mauritius

Annual estimate:

• 50,000 tourists participate in dolphin/whale excursions
• 30 licensed operators (2024 figure)
• Peak whale season: 80-90% success rate
• Economic contribution: several million rupees

Impact of the Fisheries Act 2023:

• Expected decrease in illegal "turtle" outings
• Strengthening of ongoing controls
• Increased awareness among tourists (Air Mauritius videos)

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🔮 Expected future developments

Regulatory trends:

• Continued strengthening of controls
• Possible daily quota system
• Seasonal quiet zones under consideration
• Centralized booking system under consideration
• Enhanced mandatory training for operators

Emerging technologies:

• Drones for surveillance (regulations in progress)
• Citizen reporting applications
• GPS boat tracking systems
• Electronic exit log

Conservation :

• Possible expansion of marine protected areas
• Whale sanctuary in the Indian Ocean (discussions ongoing)
• Protected migration corridors

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📚 Resources and documentation

Official texts:

• Tourism Authority Regulations 2012
• Fisheries Act 2023
• Maritime Zones Act

Guides and best practices:

• Tourism Authority Code of Conduct
• MMCS Guidelines for Responsible Observation
• M2CO Protocols

Scientific research:

• M2CO publications on sperm whales
• Marine Discovery Centre studies on turtles
• IUCN Species Status Reports

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Last updated: November 2025 Regulations may change – always check with the relevant authorities before your trip.