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

Mauritius looks best from the water. This small-group speedboat trip begins at Chantauvent Guesthouse in Pointe d’Esny, then moves through the broad lagoon toward coral islands, a shipwreck, Lighthouse Island, Île aux Cerfs, and a waterfall. I like the quiet private-beach departure and the chance to see several very different parts of the southeast in one day. I also like the small maximum group of 10, which can make the boat feel more personal than a large coastal cruise.

The main caution is lunch. One vegetarian visitor received a poor meal despite making the request in advance, although the provider apologized and said vegetarian meals are available. You should confirm your dietary needs again before departure. At about $81.30 per person for five to six hours, this is good value if you want a full water day with stops, swimming, a barbecue, and a visit to Île aux Cerfs, but it is less appealing if you prefer a quiet beach day with little movement.

Key points to know before booking

• A peaceful start at Chantauvent: You leave from the family-run Chantauvent Guesthouse rather than a crowded public jetty.
• A small boat group: The tour accepts a maximum of 10 people, allowing for a more personal outing.
• Several stops before Île aux Cerfs: The route includes coastal views, the Dalblair 1902 wreck, Lighthouse Island, and other southern islets.
• A three-hour main stop: You have time at Île aux Cerfs for beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and a barbecue.
• A guide can shape the day: Sebastián received especially warm praise for creating a private-feeling route when only two people were aboard.
• Weather matters: The trip can be moved or refunded if poor conditions make the boat outing unsafe or impractical.

Starting quietly at Pointe d’Esny

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. on Coastal Road at Chantauvent Guesthouse in Pointe d’Esny. That location matters. Instead of joining a line at a busy departure pier, you start from a private beach beside a family-run guesthouse. The setting is meant to feel close to the water and away from the usual launch-point commotion.

I like this opening because it gives the trip a sense of place before the engine starts. Chantauvent has been home to the same family for generations, and the departure takes advantage of its position beside the lagoon. You can expect about 30 minutes at this first stop, including the start of the boat journey.

The boat itself earned praise for being modern and clean. That is useful information for a five-to-six-hour outing. A clean boat and a comfortable departure point make a real difference when you will spend much of the day on the water.

The maximum group size is 10. That does not guarantee a private charter, but it is small enough to make questions and requests easier. If you are hoping for the most personal version of the tour, ask how many people are booked when you reserve. One particularly happy couple found themselves with Sebastián and a trip that felt entirely their own.

Reading the southeast coast from the lagoon

The first part of the route crosses the biggest lagoon in Mauritius. The point is not simply to get from the guesthouse to Île aux Cerfs. The boat makes several stops so you can see how the southeast is shaped by reefs, small islands, shallow water, and open sea.

One of the early sights is Île aux Aigrettes. Unlike the volcanic mainland, this island is made from coralline limestone. It also contains the last remaining pieces of dry coastal forest that once covered much of Mauritius.

That geological difference is easy to miss if you only visit beaches. From the boat, you get a quick lesson in how varied the islands can be. The stop is not presented as a long land visit, so think of it as a scenic and natural-history pause rather than a full guided walk.

You should bring a little curiosity to these stops. They are short, and the value comes from seeing several places in context. If your ideal outing means spending hours on one beach, the repeated movement may feel busy. If you like variety, the changing views keep the morning lively.

The Dalblair 1902 wreck and its hard story

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

The wreck stop lasts about 15 minutes and has no separate admission charge. It is a brief visit, but the story gives the coast a human dimension. You are not just looking at rocks and water. You are seeing the remains of a working ship caught by the conditions of the bay.

Do not expect a full museum-style presentation or a long time ashore. The appeal is the combination of a short boat approach and a memorable piece of maritime history. If you enjoy old ships, coastal stories, and places with a little more substance than a photo stop, this will likely be one of the morning’s better moments.

Lighthouse Island and the coral islets

The next major stop is Île aux Fouquets, also called Île au Phare or Lighthouse Island. It sits off the southeast coast, near Îlot Vacoas and Île de la Passe, about five kilometers from the shore. The island is made entirely of coral and has held Islet National Park status since June 5, 2004.

You spend about 45 minutes here. The tour description also refers to a stop of roughly 30 minutes on the way to Îlot Phare, so the exact time may depend on the day’s conditions and the route chosen by the boat crew. That flexibility can be useful, especially when sea conditions or group preferences affect the schedule.

This is a stop for open coastal views and the sense of being among small offshore islands. The lighthouse gives the place its identity, while the coral origin makes it part of the same reef world you have been crossing all morning.

There is no admission charge for the stop. You should not expect a major shore-based attraction with extensive facilities. Its appeal is the setting, the boat ride, and the chance to pause at a protected island before the longer beach portion of the day.

Three hours at Île aux Cerfs

The main stop is Île aux Cerfs, where you have about three hours. This is the part of the day built around pleasure rather than history. You can swim, snorkel, relax on the beach, enjoy the lagoon, and eat a barbecue.

Three hours is a useful amount of time. You are not forced into a rushed photograph and immediate departure, but you also do not spend the entire day in one place. I like that balance. The morning offers movement and sightseeing, while the central stop gives you room to slow down.

The beach time is likely to suit you if you want a classic Mauritius island day: warm sand, clear coastal water, and time to decide your own pace. You can be active in the water or simply sit with the provided meal and let the afternoon pass. The tour is not built around a tightly packed list of activities, so you have some freedom once the boat arrives.

Snorkeling is included as part of the planned experience, but the supplied details do not specify equipment, exact snorkeling sites, or how long you will spend in the water. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask the provider what equipment is supplied and what conditions are expected on your date.

The barbecue is the main weak spot. One person specifically reported a poor lunch and said vegetarian and dietary requests had not been handled. The provider apologized and explained that vegetarian meals are accommodated. That response is reassuring, but you should still state your needs clearly when booking and confirm them before the morning departure.

For guests with straightforward dietary needs, the barbecue may be a welcome part of the day. For anyone who depends on a specific meal, it is wise to treat this as something to verify rather than something to assume.

A freshwater waterfall at the river mouth

After the island time, the route includes a waterfall reached through a river mouth. The boat glides among trees before reaching the point where freshwater drops toward the sea.

This is a pleasant change from the open lagoon. The morning focuses on islands, coral, and maritime sights. The waterfall adds a freshwater setting and a different view of the coast. It also shows why a boat tour can cover ground that would be harder to connect by road.

The information provided does not give a separate duration or name for this waterfall stop. That means you should think of it as one part of the return route, not a guaranteed long walk or major inland excursion. The attraction is the boat approach and the meeting of river and sea.

Returning to Chantauvent without a hard finish

The trip ends back at Chantauvent Guesthouse. You can leave for your taxi after the boat returns, or stay a little longer on the beach, order a cocktail, and enjoy the last afternoon light.

This flexible ending is a thoughtful touch. Boat tours can sometimes feel as though everyone must rush away the moment the engine stops. Here, the guesthouse setting gives you the option to extend the day on the sand. You will need to arrange your own onward transport, since the meeting point is also the end point.

The return timing is not specified beyond the overall five-to-six-hour length. Starting at 9:30 a.m., you should plan your afternoon with some breathing room rather than scheduling a tight connection. Weather, sea conditions, and the number of stops can affect the exact finish.

What the price gives you at $81.30

At $81.30 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Île aux Cerfs, but the price includes more than a simple transfer. You are paying for a five-to-six-hour outing with a small group, several coastal stops, time at Île aux Cerfs, a barbecue, and the return boat ride.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, island visit, snorkeling time, and a coastal sightseeing route. You also avoid starting at a crowded jetty, which may be worth something to you if calm surroundings matter.

The value is weaker if you plan to spend most of your time lying on one beach. In that case, a simpler transfer or beach visit could suit you better. This tour earns its price through variety, not luxury dining or a long private charter.

The booking pattern suggests people reserve it well ahead, with an average of 52 days. That does not mean you must book exactly that far in advance, but it is a useful warning for a small-capacity outing. With only 10 places, popular dates may disappear before your holiday begins.

The guide and the feel of the boat

The host is one of the strongest parts of the experience. One person gave the host full marks and praised the boat ride and the number of sights covered. Sebastián received especially warm praise for creating a special route when the boat had only two people aboard.

That tells you something important about the tour’s character. The route has a planned structure, but the experience may feel more personal when the group is small. A good captain can make the difference between simply following a schedule and feeling that the day has been shaped around the people on board.

The praise is not a guarantee that every departure will feel private. Group size can vary, and the maximum is 10. Still, the clean boat, friendly hosting, and willingness to offer a distinct circuit are strong reasons to consider this trip over a larger standard cruise.

Who will enjoy this southern Mauritius outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad sample of the southeast in one day. It suits couples, small groups, families, and anyone who likes to combine a boat ride with swimming, beach time, food, and short scenic stops.

It is also a good match if you prefer a quieter launch point and do not want your morning to begin in a packed harbor. The small group limit makes it more appealing for people who value conversation and flexibility.

You may want another option if your dietary requirements are complex and you cannot get firm confirmation about lunch. You may also be disappointed if you expect long guided visits on each island. Several stops are brief, and Île aux Cerfs is where the day gives you the most time to relax.

Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The ticket is mobile, which makes arrival simpler. Confirmation is normally sent at booking, although reservations made within one day of departure are confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start. After that point, changes and refunds are not accepted. Since the trip depends on good weather and a minimum number of bookings, a cancellation by the operator brings either another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this boat tour?

Book it if you want a full southern Mauritius day that mixes island scenery and beach time rather than a single short cruise. The private-beach departure, small group limit, clean modern boat, and variety of stops give it a strong overall package.

Before paying, confirm two things: the lunch arrangements for every dietary requirement, and the expected route for your date. If those details are clear, the $81.30 price is fair for a five-to-six-hour trip with Île aux Cerfs, snorkeling, a barbecue, coral islands, a wreck, Lighthouse Island, and a waterfall.

I would skip it only if you want a guaranteed private charter, a highly detailed land tour, or complete confidence in a specialized lunch without needing to reconfirm it. For most people seeking an active but relaxed day on the southeast coast, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The tour 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 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at Chantauvent Guesthouse, the same place where it begins.

How many people can join the boat?

The tour has a maximum group size of 10 people.

Is Île aux Cerfs included?

Yes. Île aux Cerfs is the main stop, with about three hours for beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and a barbecue.

Are meals included?

A barbecue is included as part of the Île aux Cerfs stop. Vegetarian meals are said to be available, but you should confirm dietary requirements before departure.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. If poor weather affects the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

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