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

The best part of this Mauritius boat trip is its small-group feel. You leave from Chantauvent Guesthouse’s private beach rather than a crowded jetty, then follow the southeast coast through coral islands, old wreckage, a lighthouse island, and the broad lagoon leading to Ile aux Cerfs. It is a busy half-day, but the pace gives you time to swim, eat, and enjoy the shore.

I like the quiet departure point and the variety of stops. I also like that the boat carries no more than 10 people, which gives the captain room to adjust the route and spend more time where conditions are good. The main caution is lunch: one guest with vegetarian needs was not properly accommodated, so confirm dietary requirements clearly before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• Small boat, maximum 10 people: This is a more personal outing than a large party cruise.
• Departure at 9:30 am: You start from Chantauvent Guesthouse on Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny.
• Several southeast-coast stops: Expect the Dalblair shipwreck, Ile au Phare, coral islands, and lagoon scenery before reaching Ile aux Cerfs.
• Three hours at Ile aux Cerfs: The longest stop includes time for swimming, snorkeling, a barbecue, and relaxing on the beach.
• A rating of 4.8 from 20 ratings: The host, clean modern boat, and route receive the strongest praise.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead: Bad weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to a new date or full refund.

Why the Chantauvent departure matters

The boat leaves at 9:30 am from Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny, beside Chantauvent Guesthouse and its private beach. That choice of departure point shapes the whole outing. You are not being gathered at a large public jetty with a crowd of boats around you. Instead, the trip begins at a family-run guesthouse that has been connected with the bay for generations.

That quieter start is useful if you want the morning to feel calm. You can take in the breeze, get settled on the boat, and begin along the coast without spending the first part of the day waiting for a large group to board. The exact arrangements for transport to Pointe d’Esny are not included, so you will need to reach the meeting point yourself.

The boat is described as modern and clean, and the maximum group size is 10. That is an important detail. A small boat lets you hear the host more easily and gives the captain more flexibility at each stop. One Spanish-speaking guest described a very personal route with captain Sebastian, who adapted the outing for a private booking. The itinerary can still depend on sea and weather conditions, but the small scale gives it a less fixed feel.

The tour lasts about five to six hours. You return to Chantauvent rather than being dropped at another location, so plan your day around a mid-afternoon finish.

The southeast lagoon and Ile aux Aigrettes

The first stretch takes you across Mauritius’s largest lagoon area toward the offshore islands. The water is the star here, but the islands add useful context. One stop is connected with Ile aux Aigrettes, a coralline limestone island that differs from Mauritius itself, which is volcanic in origin.

Ile aux Aigrettes is known for the last remains of a dry coastal forest that once covered much of Mauritius. The boat trip does not present this as a long land visit, so you should think of it as a coastal and marine sightseeing stop rather than a nature reserve tour on foot.

This part of the route gives you a better sense of the southeast than a single beach visit would. You see how the lagoon is broken up by small islands, coral formations, and narrow channels. The captain also looks for marine life along the way, though sightings naturally depend on the day and water conditions.

If your main goal is a long snorkeling session, this is not a dedicated snorkeling cruise. The emphasis is on several short points of interest, followed by a longer stop at Ile aux Cerfs.

The Dalblair wreck and a short piece of maritime history

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

The stop lasts about 15 minutes and is free of an admission charge. Do not expect a museum visit or a long time ashore. This is a look from the water at a surviving piece of Mauritius’s maritime past, paired with a quick explanation of what happened.

I like this kind of stop because it breaks up the beach-and-water routine. It also gives the route a sense of place. You are not simply being taken to a famous sandbar. You are moving through a working stretch of coast with stories tied to ships, reefs, and navigation.

The wreck itself may be less impressive if you expect a large, intact vessel. Its appeal comes from the setting and the account of the accident. Keep your expectations realistic and treat it as a brief historical pause.

Ile au Phare, the lighthouse island

The next major stop is Ile aux Fouquets, better known as Ile au Phare or Lighthouse Island. The island is made of coral and has held national park status since June 5, 2004. It lies about five kilometers off Mauritius’s southeast coast, near Ilot Vacoas and Ile de la Passe.

The boat spends about 45 minutes around this part of the route. The stop is a good example of why this trip suits people who want more than a single beach transfer. You get offshore scenery, a lighthouse island, and a chance to see the coast from several angles.

The name can be slightly confusing because the itinerary uses both Ile aux Fouquets and Ile au Phare. They refer to the same lighthouse island. You may see the lighthouse from the boat rather than take part in a full guided land visit, so ask the host what landing and swimming conditions allow on the day.

This is also one of the points where the sea conditions matter most. The trip requires good weather, and a captain may adjust the timing or stops if the water is rough. That is sensible on a small speedboat, even if it means the exact route can vary.

Three hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. The boat allows about three hours here, far longer than at the historical and scenic stops. That gives you room to slow down, swim, snorkel, eat lunch, and sit on the beach without watching the clock every few minutes.

The island is best treated as a relaxed beach stop rather than a tightly scheduled sightseeing visit. After the speedboat ride and several short pauses, you can stretch out on the sand and enjoy the water. The lagoon setting makes this the natural place for a swim or a look beneath the surface with a mask and snorkel.

The barbecue is included, which improves the value of the trip when it works well. You are not paying separately for lunch at a beach restaurant, and the meal is served as part of the island stop. Still, food is the clearest weak point in the experience. One guest had requested vegetarian food but did not receive a suitable meal. The operator apologized and said vegetarian options are available, but I would not leave this to chance.

When you book, state your dietary needs clearly. Then repeat them to the host at the meeting point. If you have allergies or need a particular diet, ask exactly what the barbecue includes and what replacement food will be provided. The information supplied does not list a fixed menu, so you should get a direct answer before the boat leaves.

Three hours can feel generous if you mainly want sun and sea. It may feel long if you prefer constant sightseeing. That is the trade-off. The earlier part of the outing keeps moving, while Ile aux Cerfs gives you a proper break.

A waterfall reached through the river mouth

Another part of the route takes the boat through a river mouth among the trees to a waterfall, where freshwater meets the sea. The exact waterfall is not named, and the stop length is not separately stated, so you should regard this as a scenic passage and stop that may be shaped by the tide and weather.

This section adds a different setting to the day. Instead of open lagoon views, you move through a narrower waterway with trees close by. The meeting of fresh and salt water makes the stop feel distinct from the offshore islands and beach.

The wording suggests the boat approaches the waterfall by water rather than taking you on a long walk. If you need a full land excursion to a waterfall, this may not meet that expectation. If you like seeing several types of scenery in one outing, it is a worthwhile change of pace.

What the price includes in practical terms

The listed price is $81.30 per person. Value depends on how you use the day. You are paying for roughly five to six hours on the water, a small group of up to 10, the speedboat, the route’s several stops, time at Ile aux Cerfs, and a barbecue.

That is a stronger deal for someone who wants variety. A simple transfer to Ile aux Cerfs would not provide the Dalblair wreck, Ile au Phare, the waterfall passage, or the guided movement through the southeast lagoon. The small group also matters. You are not sharing the experience with dozens of people.

The price is less compelling if you want only a long, quiet beach day or a serious snorkeling session. The route has many components, and part of your time is spent moving between them. You are buying a broad look at the coast, not just an afternoon on one island.

A 4.8 rating from 20 ratings, with 95 percent recommending the experience, points to a strong overall package. The most consistent praise centers on the host, the clean modern boat, and the number of interesting places packed into one outing. The lower mark focuses on the lunch problem, not the boat ride or route.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most

I would choose this trip for couples, families, and small groups who want a mix of sightseeing and free time. It works especially well if your Mauritius plans leave only one morning or afternoon for the southeast coast. You get a broad introduction without arranging separate transport, boat hire, and lunch.

It also suits people who prefer a friendly, personal outing. The maximum of 10 is small enough that the host can pay attention to the group, and the experience can feel more tailored when the booking is not full. Captain Sebastian received especially warm praise for creating a private route for one booking.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboat travel, need a completely fixed schedule, or have strict dietary needs that have not been confirmed. The tour requires good weather, and the captain may need to change the route. That is normal for a sea outing, but it is worth accepting before you book.

Most people can take part, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The supplied details do not give a minimum age, information about wheelchair access, or equipment specifications, so ask the operator directly if any of those points affect your decision.

Booking, weather, and the end of the day

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:30 am start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Mauritius time.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. The tour is often booked well ahead, with the average booking made 52 days in advance, so early planning makes sense if your travel dates are fixed.

The boat returns to Chantauvent Guesthouse. You can leave for your taxi or stay a little longer on the beach for a drink and the late afternoon light. That flexible ending is a nice touch. There is no pressure to finish the day the moment the boat arrives.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat tour?

Book it if you want one compact outing that combines island scenery, short historical stops, swimming, snorkeling, a barbecue, and a waterfall. The small boat and quiet Chantauvent departure are the strongest reasons to choose it over a larger cruise.

I would not book it solely for the food, and I would confirm any vegetarian or allergy requirements in writing before paying. If that point is handled properly, the $81.30 price is fair for the time, boat, small group, and number of stops.

The best fit is someone who wants to see several sides of Mauritius’s southeast coast without spending the entire day on one beach. For that purpose, this is a well-planned and personable choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Chantauvent Guesthouse on Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of 10 participants.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes the southeast lagoon, the area near Ile aux Aigrettes, the Dalblair shipwreck, Ile au Phare, Ile aux Cerfs, and a waterfall reached through a river mouth.

How long is the stop at Ile aux Cerfs?

The planned stop at Ile aux Cerfs lasts about three hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue is included during the Ile aux Cerfs stop. Vegetarian guests should confirm suitable food with the operator before departure.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in a new date or full refund.