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

Mauritius reveals its best side from the water, and this small-group speedboat trip gives you a full half-day of it. You’ll leave the private beach at Chantauvent Guest House, cross the island’s largest lagoon, visit coral islets and a lighthouse island, then settle in for swimming, snorkeling, and a barbecue at Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the quiet departure point, far from the main jetties, and the generous mix of stops. You also get a modern, clean boat with a maximum of 10 people, which gives the outing a more personal feel. The main caution is lunch: vegetarian and special-diet arrangements need to be confirmed carefully, since one booking did not receive the requested vegetarian meal.

Key points to know before booking

• Small boat, small group: The speedboat holds no more than 10 people, allowing for a more personal outing.
• A quieter start: You leave from Chantauvent Guest House in Pointe d’Esny rather than a crowded public jetty.
• Several island stops: The route includes Ile aux Aigrettes, the Dalblair shipwreck, Île du Phare, and Ile aux Cerfs.
• A full outdoor day: Expect swimming, snorkeling, a beach barbecue, a waterfall, and time to relax by the sea.
• About five to six hours: Departure is at 9:30 a.m., with the return to Chantauvent planned for the afternoon.
• Check the meal details: Vegetarian food is supposed to be available, but dietary needs should be confirmed before departure.

Leaving Chantauvent Guest House at 9:30 a.m.

The trip begins on the Coastal Road at Chantauvent Guest House, near Pointe d’Esny. This family-run property has a private beach, so you start close to the water instead of waiting at a busy marina surrounded by competing boat operators.

I like this opening because it sets the right tone. You feel the morning breeze, board near the bay, and head out with less fuss. The setting is part of the appeal: Chantauvent has been home to the same family for generations, and the departure point feels tied to the coast rather than built only for excursions.

The boat is modern and clean, according to the details provided by one guest, and the group is limited to 10 people. That matters on a speedboat. You are not packed into a large vessel with dozens of people, and the captain has a better chance of adjusting the route or explaining what you are seeing.

Sebastian is one captain specifically praised for making a private outing feel special. Your own captain may be different, but the small-group setup gives the crew room to offer a more individual route when conditions and timing allow.

The day lasts around five to six hours. That is long enough to cover several places without turning the trip into a dawn-to-dusk commitment. You will want sun protection, a swimsuit, and a towel, since much of the day takes place on or beside the water.

Coral shores near Ile aux Aigrettes

One early stop is connected with Ile aux Aigrettes, a small island that differs from most of Mauritius in an important way. Mauritius itself is volcanic, while Ile aux Aigrettes is made of coralline limestone.

The island also preserves some of the last remaining dry coastal forest once found around much of Mauritius. You may not spend a long walking tour here, but the stop adds useful context to the boat ride. This is not just a trip past pretty water. The islands have different rock types, plant life, and roles in the coastal environment.

The route focuses on seeing the islands and lagoon from the boat, along with stops where the conditions suit the day. If you want an extensive nature walk, this is not the right outing. Its strength is variety from the water, with short visits and time for swimming rather than one long land-based tour.

The Dalblair wreck and a piece of Blue Bay 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. 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 gives the journey a human story, and it breaks up the repeated pattern of island, sea, and beach scenery. You see how the reefs and rocks that make the lagoon attractive can also make navigation dangerous.

The stop is brief, around 15 minutes, and admission is free. Think of it as a close pass and a short look rather than a museum visit or a full wreck exploration. If you enjoy maritime history, it is a welcome detail. If you prefer more time in the water, you may find this part less memorable than the snorkeling and Ile aux Cerfs.

Île du Phare, the lighthouse island

The boat then reaches Île aux Fouquets, also called Île au Phare or Lighthouse Island. The island sits off the southeast coast, near Ilot Vacoas and Île de la Passe, and received national park status in 2004.

This is one of the more atmospheric stops. The island is made of coral, and the lighthouse gives it a clear visual identity. You get a sense of how the southeast coast works as a chain of small islands, reefs, channels, and exposed rock rather than one uninterrupted beach.

The scheduled stop lasts about 45 minutes. That gives you time to look around and enjoy the setting without making the island the sole focus of the day. Conditions matter here. Wind, sea state, and access can affect how much time you spend moving around, so you should treat the route as an outdoor plan rather than a rigid timetable.

For me, Île du Phare is valuable because it adds character to the trip. Ile aux Cerfs supplies the classic beach setting, but the lighthouse island feels more distinctive and connected to the working coastline.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the long stop at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event, and the schedule allows around three hours here. That is the right amount of time for a place built around water and rest. You are not rushed off the beach after a quick photo.

The trip is designed to make several stops along the way so you can see marine life and coastal features in the lagoon. Swimming and snorkeling are central parts of the day. The exact sea conditions will determine how clear the water is and how much marine life you see, so it is best to think of snorkeling as an included chance to explore rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.

The beach stop gives you time to slow down. You can swim, sit on the sand, eat lunch, and enjoy the island without having to choose between food and sightseeing. That balance is one of the strongest parts of the outing.

The barbecue is intended to be served in this island setting. The meal can make the day easier, since you do not have to arrange lunch separately, but this is also the point where I would be most careful. One person had specified a vegetarian meal and did not receive suitable food. The operator apologized and stated that vegetarian meals are accommodated, so you should still request one clearly when booking and confirm it before the boat leaves.

If you have allergies or another dietary requirement, do not rely on a vague note. Speak directly with the provider, The Spot Mauritius, and make sure the captain or host knows as well. The food issue appears to have been a misunderstanding, but that does not help if you are hungry on a small island with no backup lunch plan.

A waterfall reached through the river mouth

After the island time, the route includes a freshwater waterfall reached through a river mouth. The boat glides among trees before reaching the cascade, where fresh water meets the sea.

This is a pleasant change of scene. The day begins with open lagoon views, moves through coral islands and a beach, then turns inland for a short stretch. You get another reminder that the southeast of Mauritius is more than a row of resort beaches.

The supplied schedule does not give a separate duration for this stop, so do not build your expectations around a long hike or a major inland excursion. The description points to a boat approach and a view of the falling water. It works best as a scenic final stop before returning to Chantauvent.

Returning to the private beach

The boat returns to Chantauvent Guest House, where the formal activity ends. You can leave for your taxi, or stay a little longer on the warm sand with a drink and the last afternoon light.

That flexible ending is a small but useful touch. After several hours in sun and wind, some people will want a quick departure. Others will appreciate a quiet place to sit before heading back to a hotel. Since the tour ends where it starts, your transport plan is simple, provided you arrange your own taxi or onward ride.

The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The information does not promise special accessibility equipment or step-free boat access, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the provider about boarding and movement on the vessel before booking.

What the $81.30 price delivers

At $81.30 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. It is also more than a simple transfer to a beach. The price covers a five to six-hour route with multiple island stops, a small speedboat, time for swimming and snorkeling, a barbecue, and the return to Chantauvent.

The value depends on how much variety you want. If your only goal is to sit on Ile aux Cerfs, a basic boat ride may cost less and may be enough. If you want the shipwreck, lighthouse island, coral formations, river mouth, and waterfall in one morning and afternoon, the broader route makes the price easier to justify.

The maximum of 10 people is important here. You are paying partly for space and flexibility, not only for the fuel and beach stop. A larger boat may offer a lower rate, but the experience can feel less personal and involve more time loading, unloading, and gathering people.

The average booking time is 52 days in advance, which suggests that you should not leave this until the last minute during a busy holiday period. Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within one day of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

This is a weather-dependent day on the sea. Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached and the operator cancels.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. The cutoff uses local Mauritius time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, so check the forecast before that deadline.

The meeting time is 9:30 a.m. at Coastal Road, Pointe d’Esny, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. A mobile ticket is accepted. I would arrive with enough time to find Chantauvent Guest House, change into suitable clothing, and avoid starting the day in a rush.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Water and any personal snacks you may need
• A secure phone case or dry bag if you want photos from the boat
• Clear details about vegetarian meals, allergies, or other food needs

The provided information does not specify whether snorkeling gear is supplied, so ask before departure rather than assuming you need only a swimsuit.

Who will enjoy this speedboat day most

I would choose this outing if you want a compact introduction to the southeast coast and prefer active sightseeing over a single resort beach. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like moving between several places and do not mind spending much of the day in the sun.

It is also a good choice if you value a smaller boat. With no more than 10 people, the outing should feel less anonymous than a large-group cruise. The captain may also have more room to shape the experience, as Sebastian did for one private booking.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed special meal, dislike boat travel, or want a highly structured cultural tour. The route is nature-focused, and the schedule can be affected by weather. The lunch problem also means that dietary planning deserves more attention than usual.

The strongest praise focuses on the host, the boat ride, the number of sights, and the personal feel. One Spanish-speaking booking described Sebastian as a great captain and received a unique private circuit. Those details point to the human side of the experience, but they should not be treated as a promise that every departure will have the same captain or private route.

Should you book it?

Book this speedboat trip if you want Ile aux Cerfs plus much more than Ile aux Cerfs. The coral islands, Dalblair wreck, lighthouse island, lagoon stops, waterfall, and long beach break give you a satisfying range of scenery in one half-day.

I would book it for the small group and route variety, but I would contact The Spot Mauritius about lunch before paying if you are vegetarian or have dietary restrictions. If your priority is simply the lowest-cost beach transfer, choose a simpler boat outing. If you want an active, well-filled day along Mauritius’s southeast coast, this is a strong option at $81.30.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

It starts at Chantauvent Guest House on Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius. The departure point includes access to the guest house’s private beach.

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?

It ends back at Chantauvent Guest House, the same place where you start.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of 10 participants.

Does the tour visit Ile aux Cerfs?

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

Which other places are included?

The route includes the area around Ile aux Aigrettes, the Dalblair shipwreck, Île du Phare, a waterfall reached through a river mouth, and Chantauvent Guest House.

Is vegetarian food available?

The provider states that vegetarian meals can be accommodated. Because one booking did not receive the requested vegetarian lunch, you should confirm your meal requirements directly before the tour.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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