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

Mauritius packs a surprising amount into this five- to six-hour speedboat trip. You leave from the private beach at Chantauvent Guest House, pass coral islands and a shipwreck, stop at Lighthouse Island, then spend the main part of the day at Ile aux Cerfs with time for swimming, snorkeling, and a barbecue.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which makes this feel more personal than a crowded boat outing. I also like the route itself: you get natural scenery, a little maritime history, a waterfall, and beach time instead of spending the whole day in one place.

The main concern is lunch. One booking party found the barbecue poor and said its vegetarian needs were missed, although the operator replied that vegetarian meals are available. Confirm dietary requirements directly before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Quiet departure from Chantauvent: You leave from a family-run guesthouse and private beach at Pointe d’Esny, rather than a busy public jetty.
• Small-group boat: The maximum is 10 people, a useful advantage if you prefer a more personal outing.
• Several southern stops: The route includes Ile aux Aigrettes, the Dalblair wreck, Lighthouse Island, Ile aux Cerfs, and a waterfall.
• Main beach stop at Ile aux Cerfs: Expect around three hours for the barbecue, swimming, snorkeling, and time on the sand.
• Good overall satisfaction: The experience has a 4.8 rating from 20 ratings, with 95 percent recommending it.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Why this speedboat route feels different

Many boat trips near Mauritius focus on getting you to a single beach as fast as possible. This one takes a more interesting route through the lagoon and southeastern islands. You see the journey as part of the day, not just transportation to the final stop.

The departure point helps. Chantauvent Guest House sits on the Coastal Road at Pointe d’Esny, and the boat leaves from its beach at 9:30 am. You start close to the water, with no need to gather at one of the more crowded jetties. The family has lived beside the bay for generations, giving the departure a more local feel.

I also like the scale. With no more than 10 people, you have a better chance of hearing the captain, asking for a little explanation, and getting room to enjoy the boat without being packed shoulder to shoulder. One particularly positive account names Sebastian as captain and describes a private, customized route. That kind of flexibility can make a big difference on a water day.

The boat itself has been described as modern and clean. That matters more than it may sound. A clean boat, an orderly boarding point, and a smaller group make the trip feel easier from the first half hour.

Leaving Pointe d’Esny at 9:30 am

The morning begins at Chantauvent Guest House. The first boat section lasts about 30 minutes, giving you time to settle in and take in the bay before the stops begin.

This is a useful starting point if you are staying nearby or arranging your own taxi. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to plan a separate return journey from another part of the coast.

The boat trip is the core of the experience, so conditions will affect your comfort. Speedboats can feel lively on open water, and the activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the coral coast

One of the early points of interest is Ile aux Aigrettes. Unlike the volcanic mainland of Mauritius, this island is made from coralline limestone. It also protects the last remnants of dry coastal forest that once covered much of the island’s coastline.

You may not get a long land visit here. The value is in seeing how varied Mauritius is beneath the postcard image of volcanic peaks and beaches. From the boat, the island adds geological and ecological context to the route.

This stop is best treated as a scenic and educational passage rather than a major activity block. If you want an extended nature walk, this trip is not presented as a guided island hike. The attraction is the view from the water and the short explanation of what makes the island different.

Passing the Dalblair 1902 shipwreck

The boat then passes near the remains of the Dalblair, a three-masted steel ship that ran onto the rocks at 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. Its crew numbered 24, under Captain McLaren. The wreck gives the ride a human story, and the 15-minute stop is a welcome change from a route made only of beaches and sea views.

Do not expect a full wreck exploration from the information provided. You pass next to the remains, and admission is included at no extra cost. Still, this short stop gives you something to look for as the boat moves through Blue Bay.

I find details like this useful because they make the setting easier to read. The sea is not just a pretty backdrop. It has carried ships, shaped trade, and caused more than a few hard nights for sailors.

Lighthouse Island and the southeastern islets

The route continues to Île aux Fouquets, also called Île au Phare or Lighthouse Island. This islet is made of coral and has held National Park status since June 5, 2004. It lies about five kilometers off the southeastern coast, near Ilot Vacoas and Île de la Passe.

You stop here for about 45 minutes according to the schedule, with a separate note describing around 30 minutes at Ilot Phare. That slight difference suggests the exact timing may vary with sea conditions and the day’s pace. I would not treat the timetable as a minute-by-minute promise.

The island’s appeal is its exposed position, coral origin, and lighthouse setting. It gives you a more rugged stop before the softer beach time at Ile aux Cerfs. The surrounding water also helps explain why this part of Mauritius is popular for boat trips.

There is no admission charge for this stop. Keep your expectations practical: this is a short island visit within a broader boat circuit, not a long historical tour with extensive facilities.

The long stop at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. The schedule allows about three hours here, which gives you enough time to slow down after the boat ride.

You can swim, snorkel, sit on the beach, and eat the included barbecue. That mix is the strongest reason to book this trip. You are not rushed from one photograph stop to the next, and you have a proper block of time to enjoy the island.

The beach portion is also where the trip becomes more flexible. Some people will head straight for the water. Others will prefer a quiet stretch on the sand and a long lunch. With a smaller group, the day should feel less regimented than a large excursion, though the exact freedom you have will depend on the captain and local conditions.

The barbecue is the one part I would check carefully. One party specifically requested vegetarian food and did not receive a suitable meal, describing the lunch as disappointing. The operator apologized and said vegetarian meals can be provided, so contact them before departure and make your needs clear. Do not assume that a request entered during booking has been passed correctly to the food provider.

The food issue does not erase the value of the three-hour beach stop, but it does affect how you judge the price. If lunch is important to you, bring a backup snack or confirm the menu in advance. If you mainly want the boat ride, swimming, and island time, the meal may be less central to your decision.

The waterfall and the freshwater meeting the sea

At another point, the boat glides through a river mouth among trees toward a waterfall. Freshwater comes over the falls and meets the sea, creating one of the more unusual scenes on the route.

The provided details do not give the waterfall a name or a separate duration. I would see it as a short scenic stop rather than a long walk inland. The boat access is the attraction: you reach the falls from the water and see the change from lagoon to river mouth without leaving the boat route.

This section adds variety after the open lagoon and beaches. It also gives you a quieter look at the coast, where trees and freshwater shape the view. Bring a camera that can handle spray, but keep your equipment secure on a moving boat.

Returning to Chantauvent in the afternoon

The tour returns to Chantauvent Guest House, where the official end point is the same as the start. The schedule allows about an hour at the guesthouse area, and that makes the ending pleasantly unhurried.

You can head to your taxi right away, or stay a little longer on the beach, order a cocktail, and enjoy the afternoon light. That final hour is a small but useful touch. Boat excursions can feel rushed when everyone is pushed straight from the water into a vehicle. Here, you have room to dry off and collect yourself.

Since transport to and from the meeting point is not described as included, plan your taxi arrangements in advance. The location is near public transportation, but the most convenient option will depend on where you are staying.

What the $81.30 price delivers

At $81.30 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning near the water. It is also more than a simple transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. You are paying for a half-day boat route with multiple stops, a captain, time for swimming and snorkeling, a barbecue, and the convenience of returning to the same point.

The small group improves the value. A maximum of 10 people means you are not paying for a large party boat experience with little personal attention. The route also covers more ground than a single-island outing, including Lighthouse Island, the Dalblair wreck, and the waterfall.

The price makes the most sense if you want variety. If all you want is a beach and a swim, a simpler beach visit may cost less and give you more uninterrupted time. If you enjoy moving between coastal sights and want a boat-centered day, the fare is easier to justify.

Keep the lunch qualification in mind. A meal included in the price is only a strong benefit if it meets your needs. Vegetarians and anyone with dietary restrictions should confirm arrangements before paying.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a compact introduction to Mauritius’ southeastern coast. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a personal boat trip to a crowded excursion.

You should enjoy it if you like a mix of scenery and activity. The day includes open-water cruising, island views, a wreck story, a lighthouse island, a waterfall, swimming, snorkeling, and time on the sand. There is enough variety to keep the outing from feeling repetitive.

It is also a good fit if you value a slower finish. The return to Chantauvent is not treated as a hard stop, and you can linger on the beach for a while.

I would think twice if you dislike speedboat rides, need a fully confirmed special-diet menu, or want a long guided visit on land. The itinerary is water-led, and some stops are brief viewing points rather than full excursions.

Booking, timing, and cancellation advice

Book with the 9:30 am start in mind and leave enough time to reach Coastal Road, Pointe d’Esny. The activity is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 52 days, so arranging it early is sensible if your Mauritius dates are fixed.

You receive confirmation at booking unless you reserve within one day of departure. Last-minute confirmation is subject to availability. The tour requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason can result in a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

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

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat tour?

Book it if you want more than a beach transfer. The route gives you several distinct stops, a small group, a modern boat, and a generous three-hour pause at Ile aux Cerfs. The high 4.8 rating from 20 ratings and 95 percent recommendation rate fit the strongest parts of the experience: the friendly host, the boat ride, and the range of sights.

Before booking, contact The Spot Mauritius about the barbecue, especially if you are vegetarian or have dietary requirements. If that point is settled, this is a well-priced choice for a varied half-day on Mauritius’ southeastern water.

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.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts approximately five to six hours.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of 10 participants.

Does the tour include Ile aux Cerfs?

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

Is lunch included?

A barbecue is included as part of the Ile aux Cerfs stop. If you need vegetarian food or have other dietary requirements, confirm the arrangements directly before the trip.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at Chantauvent Guest House, the same location where it begins.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.