Tour Planning: Logistics, Costs, and Guides: how it works in Mauritius — first-hand

It is highly recommended to take anti-motion sickness medication (e.g., Dramamine) beforehand. Dress warmly (sweater, windbreaker/raincoat) as it can be cold on the boat in the morning, and legs/bottom will likely get wet; consider wearing swimwear under clothes. Footwear is removed on the boat. Essential safety rules: 1. Do not jump into the water without the captain's explicit command ('jump') as they ensure engines are off. 2. When in water, position yourself strictly parallel to the whale, avoiding its head and tail, as collisions can be dangerous. 3. If a whale is fast, don't chase it; return to the boat quickly to be repositioned for the next encounter. 4. If encountering sleeping whales (they sleep vertically), do not hover directly above them. 5. For better underwater photos/videos, practice diving 1-1.5 meters underwater. Equipment like masks, snorkels, and fins are available on the boat; know your shoe size in English. Guides often assign one staff member to 1-2 people for filming. Expect variability in sightings; multiple trips may increase chances but are not a guarantee. Post-storm conditions can result in strong waves and fast-moving whales. Some tours include dolphin swimming on the return journey. Private boat tours can cost around 40,000 MUR; one report indicated a 3-hour private trip in September yielded no whale sightings, highlighting that private doesn't guarantee more sightings or success.

The boat journey can be rough due to strong waves. Participants need to be strong swimmers, able to quickly enter and exit the boat. For those prone to seasickness, it may be difficult. Booking a private tour is suggested as it offers a better chance to see and swim with whales/dolphins due to fewer participants on board.

The excursion typically lasts 4-5 hours. Seeing a group of over ten sperm whales and swimming near them provides an unforgettable experience. The cost was around 120 EUR, with an additional 30 EUR for video footage. Boats usually carry 8-10 people. Transportation to the pier can be arranged via taxi from hotels. Swimming with whales can be tiring due to their speed, with each individual getting about 8 minutes in the water. It's recommended to go with a local Russian-speaking guide who lives on the island. Some tours offer fruit like pineapples. Finding whales is not guaranteed, and some operators may not offer refunds if whales are not spotted. Prices can vary by season, with winter potentially being cheaper. The actual swimming duration with whales is approximately 8 minutes per person.

Despite this, many tours facilitate swimming. Fines for tourists are approximately 1000 MUR, while boat owners/captains face fines up to 50,000 MUR and potential license revocation. Some guides offer to proceed with swimming if tourists agree to cover potential fines. The probability of encountering whales is about 90%; if not seen, some tours offer alternatives (e.g., dolphins) or a discount. Video recording is an additional service. Prices depend on the guide (Russian-speaking guides might be more expensive) and whether it's a private or group tour.