Ile aux Benitiers

Ile aux Benitiers is a low island about two kilometres long inside the western lagoon between La Gaulette and Le Morne, with a sandy shore, casuarina and coconut trees and a view back to the Morne cliff. It is the standard stop on the west-coast boat circuit: trips leave early to look for spinner and bottlenose dolphins in the deeper water outside the reef, then come into the lagoon, pass the Crystal Rock, a small coral outcrop standing alone in shallow turquoise water that has become one of the most photographed points on the island, and land on the islet for a barbecue lunch. The name refers to the giant clams once found here. The island is privately held and partly developed.

What you actually see

• The Crystal Rock - the coral outcrop standing in the shallow lagoon.
• The islet beach - the sandy shore under casuarina and coconut.
• Dolphin watching - the spinner and bottlenose pods outside the reef.
• The Morne view - the cliff seen across the water from the island.

When to go

May to December for calm lagoon conditions. Dolphin trips leave at dawn, when the animals rest close inshore, and return by mid-morning. Afternoon wind picks up in the lagoon.

Honest expectations

Dolphin trips have drawn criticism for the number of boats crowding the pods; operators vary in how they behave. Sightings are not guaranteed. The islet gets busy when several barbecue groups land together. Sun exposure on the boat is severe.

Nearby

Le Morne rises south; La Gaulette is the usual departure point.