Day Trip at Ile aux Cerfs and other Gems of the South.

Ile aux Cerfs is the headline, but the best part of this six-hour boat day is the route around it. From Chantauvent Guesthouse in Blue Bay, you stop to snorkel, visit Lighthouse Island, look for sea life, and finish with a barbecue on the beach. I like the small-boat feel, and I like that the day includes both action and unhurried beach time.

The guides are another strong point. Lucas helped one family with two small children, while Sebastian earned praise for being attentive, good-humored, and professional. The main consideration is the price: $412 per group of up to four is good value if you fill the boat, but costly for one or two people. The group limit also needs checking, since the information gives both six and ten as the maximum.

Key points to know before you book

• Start at Chantauvent Guesthouse in Blue Bay: Meet at the Beach House and ask reception to direct you.
• Spend the day on the water: The trip includes sailing, snorkeling, island stops, and beach time rather than one quick visit.
• Expect a personal guide: Lucas and Sebastian are named guides, with French and English available.
• Lunch is a beach barbecue: Wine is included at lunch, but only one type is offered unless you pay extra for another bottle.
• You can tailor the outing: A private boat and a customized cool box are possible, with extra charges for some requests.
• The timing favors a relaxed pace: Six hours gives you room for several stops, but it is not a full-day expedition.

Why the route is better than a simple Ile aux Cerfs transfer

Many boat outings treat Ile aux Cerfs as the whole point: get there, eat, swim, and head back. This trip uses the journey itself as part of the day. That matters because the southeastern coast is best seen from the water, where the lagoon, small islands, reef areas, and open channels become the scenery.

You begin with a short 15-minute sailing leg. The route then allows roughly three hours around Ile aux Cerfs before a 45-minute sailing section toward Lighthouse Island and the return to Blue Bay. The timing is written a little broadly, so you should confirm the exact order and stop lengths when you book. Still, the plan is clear: this is a multi-stop outing, not a rushed beach drop-off.

I like that balance. You can snorkel while the water is inviting, then sit down to lunch without feeling that every minute is being pushed along. Families can enjoy a simple day at sea, while couples or friends can use the private-boat option to shape the pace more closely to their own interests.

Leaving Blue Bay from Chantauvent Guesthouse

The meeting point is Chantauvent Guesthouse in Blue Bay. You do not need to search the shoreline for a boat on your own. Ask reception for directions, then go to the guesthouse Beach House, where your guide waits.

That arrangement is useful if you are staying nearby, but the information does not include hotel pickup. If you are lodging elsewhere, plan your own way to Blue Bay and allow time to find the Beach House. Bring your towel, hat, and sunglasses. Those sound like obvious items, yet they are exactly what you want once you are on a bright boat with few shady places.

The tour is offered in French and English. A small group is listed, with a limit of ten participants in one part of the details and six in another. The highlights specifically describe six people at most, so I would ask for the expected number before paying if a quiet boat matters to you.

The boat can also be privatized. That is the most useful upgrade for families, two couples, or anyone who wants to control the mood of the day. A private boat should make it easier to linger at a snorkeling stop, adjust the cool box, or avoid sharing lunch time with strangers, although you should confirm the additional price.

Snorkeling around the lagoon and Ile aux Aigrettes

The snorkeling is not a token add-on. The route includes stops to see lagoon wildlife, and one detailed account names Ile aux Aigrettes as a snorkeling stop. You are given the chance to look below the surface at coral and marine life rather than simply admire the water from the deck.

The supplied information does not promise a particular species, water visibility, or a full set of snorkeling equipment, so ask what is provided before you go. Conditions can affect how good the stop feels on the day. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep realistic expectations and treat the stop as one part of a broader outing.

I like the way the stop fits the day. You can swim and look around underwater, then return to the boat and continue toward the islands. One family even spotted dolphins at a distance, but that is a lucky sighting, not a scheduled feature. Go for the sea time, not a guarantee of dolphins.

For children, the private-boat choice may be worth considering. Lucas was especially helpful with two young children, according to the information supplied, which suggests the crew can give families attentive support. Still, you should judge your own children’s comfort around boats and water, since no age limits or flotation details are provided.

Ile aux Cerfs: beach time with lunch included

Ile aux Cerfs is where the outing slows down. The plan gives you about three hours there, enough time for swimming, sun, food, and a walk along the shore without reducing the stop to a photo break.

The barbecue is served on the beach. The meal is described as complete, with a relaxed lunch setting facing the lagoon. That is one of the strongest practical features of the trip: food is built into the day, so you do not have to leave the island to find lunch or carry your own meal.

The exact barbecue menu is not specified. You can request a full lobster meal for an added 600 Mauritian rupees per person. Wine is free with lunch, but only one type is normally available, and it is described as less than standard. If you care about the bottle, the operator can provide your preferred wine for an extra fee.

You can also customize the cool box. This is a small detail, but it is valuable on a warm day. Ask what can be added and what it costs before departure. The ability to tailor drinks or snacks is especially handy for a family, a group with dietary preferences, or anyone who does not want to rely only on the standard lunch setup.

The tradeoff is that a barbecue on a popular island is still a shared tourist-style lunch rather than a private restaurant meal. You are paying for the setting, convenience, and time at the beach. If you want a formal dining experience, this is not that. If you want grilled food with your feet near the sand, it fits the day nicely.

Lighthouse Island and the return across the coast

Lighthouse Island adds a second island stop and gives the trip a sense of progression. Rather than spending every minute at Ile aux Cerfs, you continue through the island chain and see another coastal landmark from the boat.

The schedule assigns 45 minutes to the sailing around Lighthouse Island. The description does not say how long you go ashore, or if the boat simply passes and stops nearby, so confirm that point if visiting the island itself is important to you. The stop is best understood as part of the coastal sightseeing route, not as a detailed historical visit.

This portion may appeal most to people who like the motion of a boat and changing views. It also helps explain why the tour can fill six hours without feeling like three hours of beach sitting. On the other hand, anyone prone to seasickness should think about the total time on the water and bring whatever personal remedy they normally use. The operator does not provide specific seasickness guidance.

What the guide adds to a small boat day

A small boat is only as good as the person running it. Here, the named guides give you useful clues about the service. Lucas is described as kind and attentive, including with children, while Sebastian is described as professional, funny, and alert to the needs of the group.

That combination matters. A skipper who explains the islands, watches the group at snorkeling stops, and keeps the boat moving safely can turn a basic boat ride into a good day. The information also says you receive a live guide in French or English, so you can choose the language that suits your group.

The experience is not presented as a formal lecture or a specialist wildlife tour. You should expect friendly guidance, information about the islands, and help during the stops. If you want a marine biology lesson or a highly structured cultural program, you may find the content too light.

The small-group promise is worth clarifying before booking. One section says up to ten participants, while the highlights say six at most, and the price covers a group of up to four. I would ask three direct questions: how many people will be aboard, is the boat private for my booking, and what changes if my group has more than four people?

Is $412 good value for up to four people?

At $412 per group of up to four, the arithmetic is important. A full group pays about $103 per person before optional extras. For four people, that is reasonable for a six-hour boat outing that includes several stops, snorkeling, lunch, a guide, and the chance to visit Ile aux Cerfs and Lighthouse Island.

For two people, the same total becomes about $206 each. That is a much bigger spend, though it may still make sense if you value privacy and want a boat arranged around your own pace. For one person, the group price is difficult to justify unless the operator places you with others under a different arrangement.

The value improves if you use the included elements: swim, snorkel, eat lunch on the beach, and stay for the island stops. It weakens if you mainly want a short ride to Ile aux Cerfs and do not care about snorkeling or Lighthouse Island.

Budget for extras if they matter to you. Lobster costs an additional 600 rupees per person, and a preferred wine costs extra. The private-boat option and a customized cool box may also carry additional fees. Ask for the complete cost before confirming so the low headline price does not become a surprise at the dock.

The booking terms are flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule rather than assuming a particular departure.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this for a family, a pair of couples, or a group of friends who want several kinds of activity in one outing. You get water time, island scenery, a proper lunch stop, and a guide who can keep the day moving without making it feel like a race.

It also suits nature-minded visitors who want to see the lagoon from several angles. The snorkeling stop, marine life, possible dolphin sighting, and island route give you more to look at than a single beach visit.

The trip is less suitable if you dislike boats, want a quiet land-based day, or need a tightly specified schedule. The exact snorkeling equipment, menu, group size, and Lighthouse Island arrangements are not detailed, so ask questions if those points will determine your choice.

For families with babies or small children, the positive account of Lucas helping with young children is encouraging, but it is not a stated childcare service. You remain responsible for your children, particularly around the water and on the boat.

Seven useful questions to ask before departure

The meeting point is simple, but the practical details deserve a quick check. Ask where the boat will stop for snorkeling, what gear is supplied, how many people are booked, and whether your boat is private.

You should also confirm the barbecue menu, wine arrangements, and any charge for a customized cool box. If you want the lobster meal, add 600 rupees per person to your calculation. These questions take little time and make the day easier to judge against other boat trips in Mauritius.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs boat trip?

I would book it if you can fill most of the four-person price, want more than a basic Ile aux Cerfs transfer, and like the idea of lunch on the sand. The strongest features are the multi-stop route, the helpful guide style associated with Lucas and Sebastian, the snorkeling, and the chance to make the boat private.

I would hesitate if you are a solo visitor or a couple watching every rupee. In that case, compare the $412 group cost with a shared boat option. Also confirm the six-person versus ten-person limit before you pay.

For the right group, this is a nicely mixed day: sea, islands, snorkeling, barbecue, and a little luck with dolphins. Pack your towel, hat, and sunglasses, ask the key questions, and let the route do the work.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

Meet at Chantauvent Guesthouse in Blue Bay. Ask reception for directions to the Beach House, where your guide will be waiting.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking.

Which languages are available?

The live guide is available in French and English.

How many people can join the group?

The information gives two limits: the highlights say a maximum of six people, while the activity details say up to ten participants. Confirm the expected group size before booking.

Is it possible to have a private boat?

Yes. You can privatize the boat and customize the trip, but you should confirm the extra fee and the exact arrangements.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A beach barbecue is included at Ile aux Cerfs. Wine is free during lunch, but only one type is normally offered. A preferred wine can be arranged for an additional fee.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, and a towel. You may also want to ask in advance about snorkeling equipment and any personal food or drink requests.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.