Speed Boat Tour île aux Cerfs and Others Gems of The South

Mauritius is at its best from the water, and this small-group speedboat trip takes you beyond the usual beach stop. You leave from Chantauvent Guest House, away from the busier jetties, then cross the island’s largest lagoon toward Ile aux Cerfs, with coral islands, a shipwreck, a lighthouse, snorkeling, and a barbecue along the way.

I like the maximum group size of 10, which gives the outing a more personal feel and leaves room for a flexible route. I also like the range of stops: Île aux Aigrettes and Île au Phare provide more than pretty swimming water, while the modern, clean boat and friendly hosting help make the day comfortable. Sebastian is praised by name for creating a special route when he had only one party aboard.

The main caution is lunch. One guest received a poor meal and did not get suitable vegetarian food despite noting the requirement during booking. The provider apologized and said vegetarian meals can be arranged, so I would confirm your dietary needs directly before departure rather than leave it to chance.

Key points to know before booking

• Departure from a private beach: You start at Chantauvent Guest House on Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny, not at a crowded public jetty.
• A full lagoon circuit: The route combines open-water cruising with coral islands, coastal scenery, a shipwreck, a lighthouse, and a river-mouth waterfall.
• Small boat, small group: The tour accepts no more than 10 people, useful if you prefer a quieter outing.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main stop: Expect around three hours there for beach time, food, and water activities.
• Lunch needs attention: A barbecue is included, but vegetarian and other dietary requests should be reconfirmed.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this speedboat trip is different from a standard Ile aux Cerfs outing

Many Ile aux Cerfs trips focus on getting you to the island as quickly as possible. This one takes the scenic route. The island is still the centerpiece, but the boat ride gives you a wider look at the south-east coast and its offshore islands.

That matters because Ile aux Cerfs itself can become the whole story if you arrive by the shortest transfer. Here, the time on the water has a purpose. You pass places shaped by coral, see the remains of a wreck, stop near a historic lighthouse, and move through a river mouth toward a waterfall where fresh water meets the sea.

The experience lasts about five to six hours, beginning at 9:30 am and ending back at Chantauvent Guest House. That is long enough for several stops without turning the day into an exhausting full-day expedition. Still, this is an active boat outing, not a slow sightseeing cruise. You should be comfortable with sun, wind, spray, swimming, and getting in and out of a boat.

The group limit is a real advantage. With no more than 10 people, the captain can speak with you directly, and the day should feel less rigid than a large excursion with fixed seating and a loud crowd. One especially positive account describes Sebastian tailoring the route for a very small party. That kind of flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a larger group boat.

Leaving Chantauvent Guest House at 9:30 am

The meeting point is on Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny, at Chantauvent Guest House and its private beach. The departure setting is part of the appeal. Instead of beginning at a crowded jetty, you start close to the water, with the guest house serving as both the launch point and the return point.

The first half hour is a gentle introduction. The boat moves across the lagoon while you get a feel for the route and the morning air. From here, you can expect open views and a close look at the coast rather than a long transfer hidden inside a vehicle.

The practical benefit of a private departure is simple: less waiting and less fuss. You are already near the boat and the water. At the end, you can either leave for your taxi or stay at the beach for a while, perhaps with a drink at the guest house. That flexible ending is useful if you have no immediate connection to catch.

The meeting information does not specify hotel pickup, so plan to reach Chantauvent Guest House on your own. The location is near public transportation, but your booking confirmation should be checked for the exact arrival instructions.

Île aux Aigrettes and the coral coast

One of the early points of interest is Île aux Aigrettes. Unlike Mauritius, which is volcanic, this island is made of coralline limestone. That geological difference gives the stop a distinct character and adds some context to what might otherwise look like a small offshore island.

Île aux Aigrettes is also important for its remaining dry coastal forest. Much of this type of forest once covered the Mauritian coast, so the island represents a surviving piece of the original coastal environment.

The available details do not promise a landing on the island. Treat this part of the route as a boat-based look at the island and its setting unless the captain tells you otherwise. The value is in seeing how varied the south-east coast can be, from the larger lagoon to small coral islets with their own natural history.

If you like trips that explain a place rather than simply rush between swimming stops, this is a worthwhile early stop. If you want immediate beach time, remember that Ile aux Cerfs comes later.

Passing the Dalblair 1902 shipwreck

The boat next passes the remains of the Dalblair, a three-masted steel ship that ran onto the rocks in Blue Bay on the night of February 6 to 7, 1902. It had sailed from Cardiff in the United Kingdom toward Port Louis with a cargo of coal, carrying a crew of 24 under Captain McLaren.

You are given about 15 minutes for this part of the route, and there is no admission fee. The stop is brief, but it gives the ride a human story. A shipwreck is not just a visual marker in the water. It also shows the hazards faced by ships approaching Mauritius before modern navigation and transport.

Do not expect a large museum-style site or a long walk. This is a passing view from the boat, best appreciated if your captain points out the remains and explains what happened. Bring your attention, not a long list of expectations.

Île au Phare, the lighthouse island

The route continues to Île aux Fouquets, commonly called Île au Phare, or Lighthouse Island. This coral island lies off the south-east coast near Ilot Vacoas and Île de la Passe. It has had national park status since 2004.

The planned stop here is about 45 minutes, making it one of the more substantial pauses before Ile aux Cerfs. The island’s coral origin links it to Île aux Aigrettes, but the lighthouse gives it a different identity. From the water, you get a view of an offshore navigation point rather than another anonymous sandbar.

The route description also highlights a roughly 30-minute stop at Île au Phare, so the exact time may depend on the day’s conditions and the captain’s plan. That is worth keeping in mind if you are timing the trip closely.

This stop should appeal to anyone who enjoys coastal landmarks and quiet natural places. It may be less satisfying if you expect to tour the lighthouse interior, since no interior visit is specified. Think of it as a scenic and historical pause from the boat.

Ile aux Cerfs: the main three-hour stay

Ile aux Cerfs is where the day shifts from sightseeing to leisure. You get about three hours here, enough time to settle into the beach, swim, snorkel, eat, and simply stop watching the clock for a while.

The island is known for its white sand and clear lagoon water, but the practical advantage of arriving after several smaller stops is that the beach time feels earned. You have already seen parts of the south-east coast, so Ile aux Cerfs becomes a place to slow down rather than the only attraction of the day.

The included barbecue is meant to be eaten in this beach setting. That is a pleasant idea, but the meal is the weakest point in the available feedback. One person found the lunch poor and said vegetarian needs were not met, even though they had been included in the booking. The provider responded with an apology and stated that vegetarian meals are accommodated.

My advice is straightforward: write your dietary requirements clearly when booking, then confirm them before the trip. If food is especially important to you, ask exactly what the barbecue includes. The meal is part of the price, but you should not assume that a general note about dietary needs has reached the person preparing lunch.

The activity information mentions swimming and snorkeling, but it does not specify equipment rental or whether gear is supplied. Ask before you go if you need equipment. The same applies to any special food request.

The river mouth and waterfall

After time around Ile aux Cerfs, the boat moves through a river mouth among trees toward a waterfall. Fresh water pours toward the sea, creating a change of scenery from the open lagoon and sandy beaches.

The description does not give a separate duration for this stop, so conditions and the captain’s schedule may shape the visit. It is best viewed as a scenic part of the return route rather than a guaranteed long shore excursion.

This section adds welcome variety. A day made only of beaches can blur together, while the river mouth brings trees, moving fresh water, and a closer sense of the island’s coastal waterways. The boat gives you the chance to see the meeting point between river and sea without adding a separate inland transfer.

What the $81.30 price delivers

At $81.30 per person, this is not the cheapest possible way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. The value comes from the combined route rather than from the island alone.

Your price covers a 5 to 6 hour small-group boat outing, several coastal stops, time at Île au Phare, the Ile aux Cerfs visit, and a barbecue. You also get the convenience of returning to the same private beach where you began. If you booked separate boat transfers, sightseeing stops, and lunch, the cost and planning could quickly become similar.

The strongest value is for someone who wants variety. You are paying for more than a transfer to a beach. The shipwreck, coral islands, lighthouse, lagoon views, and waterfall make the day feel like a complete coastal excursion.

The value is weaker if you mainly want an inexpensive ride to Ile aux Cerfs and plan to spend nearly all your time there. In that case, a simpler transfer might suit you better. This trip earns its price through the extra stops and small group, not through luxury dining or premium facilities.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this trip if you want a manageable dose of adventure with plenty of time to relax. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like being on the water but do not want to share a large boat with dozens of people.

It is also a good match for photographers and curious sightseers. Île aux Aigrettes, the Dalblair wreck, Île au Phare, and the waterfall provide more varied subjects than a single beach day.

You should be comfortable with a few practical limits. The boat may be exposed to sun and wind, and the day includes several hours on the water. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you have mobility concerns or need specific boarding assistance, ask the provider before booking.

This is not the best choice for someone who wants a fully scheduled cultural tour, a long guided visit on land, or a guaranteed gourmet lunch. It is a coastal day built around scenery, water, and a relaxed island stop.

Timing, group size, and cancellation advice

The tour starts at 9:30 am and returns to Chantauvent Guest House. Allow enough time to reach Pointe d’Esny before departure, since hotel transport is not listed as included. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is normally issued at booking unless you reserve within one day of travel.

The group has a maximum of 10 people. That small capacity is one reason the experience often sells ahead, with bookings made an average of 52 days in advance. If your dates are fixed, I would not wait until the last minute.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Mauritius time.

The trip depends on good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this Mauritius boat tour?

I would book it if you want a small-group route with more than one attraction. The private-beach departure, modern boat, friendly hosting, coral islands, wreck, lighthouse, waterfall, and long Ile aux Cerfs stop create a well-rounded day.

I would pause only if lunch quality is central to your plans, or if you want to spend every minute on the main island. Confirm vegetarian and other dietary requirements before paying, and ask about snorkeling equipment if you need it.

For most people who want to see the south-east coast by water without joining a large crowd, the $81.30 price is reasonable. The route gives you both active sightseeing and time to sit on the sand, which is exactly the balance that makes a Mauritius boat day worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Chantauvent Guest House on Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Chantauvent Guest House.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 5 to 6 hours.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Is Ile aux Cerfs included?

Yes. Ile aux Cerfs is the main stop, with approximately three hours allocated there.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue is included during the Ile aux Cerfs portion of the trip.

Can vegetarian meals be arranged?

The provider states that vegetarian meals can be accommodated. Because one booking had a problem with this request, confirm your dietary needs before departure.

Does the tour visit a waterfall?

Yes. The boat travels through a river mouth among trees to reach a waterfall where fresh water meets the sea.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.