Activity Snapshot
Activity description
Take advantage of your stay in Reunion Island to go swimming with the dolphins of the Indian Ocean from Saint-Gilles-les-Bains!
Come aboard with CocoBoat and go in search of the dolphins that inhabit the waters off the coast of Reunion Island! Present all year round around the Reunion Island, dolphins are sociable and playful marine mammals. Many of us dream of being able to meet them and swim alongside them. So today, make this dream come true by going snorkeling with dolphins in Reunion Island!
Departing from Saint-Gilles, on the west coast of Reunion Island, the CocoBoat center's boat will take you out to sea to swim with dolphins and make you live a daydream! The whole activity will take place with respect for the dolphins so as not to disturb them: once a group of dolphins has been spotted, the CocoBoat team will launch you a little further out so as not to disturb the animals. And if your group and theirs come together naturally, your swim with the dolphins will take place! A moment of pure happiness!
From July to August, whales are also present around Reunion Island: if you are lucky enough to come across one, the CocoBoat crew will be happy to give you the chance to swim with them!
With a pleasant temperature, the waters surrounding the Réunion Island are perfect for a snorkeling trip with dolphins. Don't hesitate any longer and book your dolphin encounter from the city of Saint-Gilles with CocoBoat!
- Meet at the COCOBOAT centre
Meet at the agency 30 minutes before departure to report to reception and get kitted out. The centre provides the wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel.
- Departure
When all 9 participants are equipped, you board the Zodiak accompanied by the captain and instructor.
- Briefing
As you head out to sea, the instructor will give you a detailed briefing on how the trip will work, the different types of cetacean you could potentially encounter and how to behave to ensure a safe and optimal encounter with the dolphins.
- Pre-launch
You do a preliminary launch without animals in order to practise what to expect and to increase your chances of success when the animals are present.
You sit on the edge of the boat, go down into the water on your stomach and try to make as little noise as possible.
Once in the water, everyone meets at the back of the boat and you form a line by holding hands.
The instructor stands in front of you and gives you instructions to follow throughout the swim.
This step will give you greater peace of mind when the cetaceans are present, as you will already know the instructions to follow.
- Searching for cetaceans
In this natural environment, the search for dolphins relies on the observation skills of the whole crew. It is important to realise that you are in a natural environment, so encounters with cetaceans are not guaranteed. The boat maintains a distance of 100 metres from the cetaceans.
You enter the water in exactly the same way as when you were first launched.
This is a truly magical moment: on the high seas, you can watch the dolphins swim past you. It's an emotionally intense experience watching these mammals that we rarely get the chance to see up close in their natural habitat.
If the weather permits and the dolphins are easy to spot, you can take several trips into the water.
- You'll return to port with your head full of memories.
The instructor will take a GoPro with him when the dolphins are launched, so you can keep a souvenir of this unforgettable moment. You can give your contact details to reception so that we can send you the video montage.
Activity requirements
You'll need to be comfortable with the idea of swimming in the middle of the ocean and to have already practised using a fin, mask and snorkel to take part in this outing.
Activity forbidden to people with heart problems.
Special terms
Wild animals are unpredictable; we cannot guarantee that you will see them during this activity.
- Snorkeling equipment
- Gopro (renting for 20€ / you keep the memory card after the activity)
- Swimsuit
- Towel
