Whales in Mauritius: when and where you can see them, how much an excursion costs

Mauritius is associated with white beaches, lagoons and luxury resorts, but for many travellers the island is also interesting because of the chance to see whales in their natural habitat. Unlike most popular tropical destinations, meetings with the largest marine animals are possible here not only during the seasonal migration period, but throughout the year.

In this article, we explain what whales you can see in Mauritius, when it is better to plan a trip, how and where the excursions take place, and how much a meeting with these marine giants costs.

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What whales can be seen in Mauritius

Several whale species are regularly found in the waters of Mauritius, but most excursions focus on sperm whales and humpback whales. They are considered the island's main marine giants and attract travellers from all over the world.

Sperm whales in Mauritius

Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales on the planet and can reach more than 15 metres in length. Unlike many other regions of the world, where whale encounters depend only on the migration season, sperm whales are found off the west coast of Mauritius throughout the year. That is why watching them is available in almost any season.

During sea trips, tourists can observe the characteristic blows, the appearance of the back above the water, and the famous dive with the tail fin shown.

Humpback whales in Mauritius

Humpback whales appear near Mauritius during their annual migration between feeding and breeding areas. These whales are known for their activity on the surface of the water. It is humpback whales that most often jump out of the water, slap their fins on the ocean surface, and show other striking elements of behaviour that make encounters with them especially spectacular.

Other whale species

Besides sperm whales and humpback whales, some other cetacean species are sometimes found in the waters of Mauritius. However, such sightings are considered less predictable and usually become a pleasant bonus during sea excursions.

In addition to whales, during boat trips tourists often meet bottlenose dolphins and spinner dolphins, which live year round off the west coast of the island.

It is the combination of a permanent sperm whale population, seasonal migrations of humpback whales and a high probability of meeting dolphins that makes Mauritius one of the most interesting destinations for observing marine mammals in the Indian Ocean.

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When to go to Mauritius to see whales

Unlike many other whale watching destinations, Mauritius does not have a short season limited to just a few months of the year. However, the probability of seeing different whale species depends on the time of travel.

If one of the main purposes of the trip is to see sperm whales, you can come to Mauritius at almost any time of year. However, many operators consider the period from May to November the most comfortable for sea trips, when the ocean more often stays calm and weather conditions are favourable for going out to sea.

Encounters with humpback whales usually take place from June to October, but the most favourable period for observation is considered to be July to September.

If you want to increase your chances of seeing whales during your trip, the best period is from July to September. In these months, in the waters of Mauritius, you can meet both the permanent sperm whale population and migrating humpback whales.

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Where you can see whales in Mauritius

Almost all whale watching excursions depart from the west coast of Mauritius. It is here that deep ocean areas run close to the island and attract sperm whales and other large marine mammals.

• Tamarin - a small resort village that is considered one of the main departure points for sea excursions. Boats leave from here every day in search of sperm whales, humpback whales and dolphins.
• Black River - another main starting point for whale watching excursions in Mauritius. Many companies that specialise in such expeditions are based here.
• Le Morne - the famous resort is also located on the west coast and is often used as a starting point for sea trips. For tourists staying in local hotels, this is one of the most convenient options for getting to the excursion without long transfers.

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Whale excursions in Mauritius

Most tours leave for the sea early in the morning, usually between 6:00 and 8:00. At this time the ocean is usually calmer and conditions for searching for whales are most favourable. Operators offer both group trips and private sea outings. At the same time, the price of excursions may depend on the season, tour format, boat size and number of participants.

Group tours. Approximately, the price is about 65 to 100 euros per person for a trip lasting from 2.5 hours. The excursion may include not only whale searching, but also dolphin watching, light drinks or snacks on board, as well as snorkelling equipment if the list of services includes swimming with dolphins.

Private excursions. The price of such an excursion usually starts from 400 euros per boat and may exceed 1000 euros depending on the size of the vessel, additional activities, food, trip duration and level of service. Some companies additionally offer hotel transfer, photo and video shooting, or combined tours with visits to other locations on the west coast.

From July to September, when humpback whales come to Mauritius, demand for sea excursions rises noticeably. So, if the trip is planned for the high season, it is recommended to book the tour in advance.

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Can you see whales from the shore

Theoretically, whales can sometimes be noticed from the shore too, especially during the humpback whale migration season. However, such cases remain more an exception than a rule.

Most encounters take place at a considerable distance from the coast, because of which whale watching almost always requires a sea excursion.

An excursion makes it possible not only to see the animals, but also to approach them at a permitted distance accompanied by an experienced crew. At the same time, it is important to remember that the success of a whale watching trip depends on weather conditions, the behaviour of the animals and other factors. Some companies that organise such excursions estimate the probability of seeing whales at about 60 to 70%.

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