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

Mauritius reveals itself best from the water. This small-group speedboat trip links quiet coastal scenery, coral islands, a historic shipwreck, swimming stops, a barbecue, and Île aux Cerfs in one well-paced day. I like the private beach departure at Chantauvent Guest House, which keeps you away from the busier jetties, and I like the limit of 10 people, since it leaves room for a more personal outing. The main concern is lunch: one guest found the meal poor and said vegetarian needs were not met, even after being noted during booking.

The trip takes about five to six hours and starts at 9:30 a.m. on the Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny. The boat, guide, and route receive high marks, with special praise for the host and captain Sebastian. Still, you should confirm dietary needs directly before setting out, since the operator apologized for one missed vegetarian request.

Five details that shape the day

• A quiet start at Chantauvent: You leave from a family-run guesthouse and private beach rather than a crowded public jetty.
• A compact group of up to 10: The small capacity gives the captain more freedom to tailor the route.
• Southern islands and sea history: The boat passes the Dalblair 1902 wreck and stops near Île du Phare.
• Île aux Cerfs with a barbecue: The longest stop gives you time for beach relaxation, food, swimming, and snorkeling.
• A freshwater waterfall by boat: The route includes a river mouth where fresh water meets the sea.
• Weather and food matter: The trip depends on suitable weather, and lunch arrangements deserve a quick check before departure.

Why this southern Mauritius boat trip is worth considering

This is not simply a fast ride to Île aux Cerfs. The appeal lies in the sequence of stops. You start near Pointe d’Esny, cross the large lagoon, pause for natural and historical sights, and finish with several hours on an island known for its pale sand and clear coastal water.

I like that the route gives you more than one postcard stop. Île aux Cerfs is the headline attraction, but the wreck of the Dalblair, Île du Phare, the lagoon wildlife, and the waterfall give the day a sense of place. You get a look at the coast as a connected setting rather than spending the whole outing on one beach.

The small group is another real advantage. With a maximum of 10 people, the boat should feel less rigid than a large excursion vessel. A guest who had a private departure praised Sebastian for creating a unique route, and that is the kind of flexibility this format can allow. The exact route may depend on conditions and the group, so think of this as a guided coastal outing rather than a fixed checklist.

The price is $81.30 per person. That is reasonable if you want transport by boat, several stops, a barbecue, and a half-day on the water without arranging each part separately. It is less compelling if your only goal is to sit on Île aux Cerfs, since the package spends time on other islands and coastal sights by design.

Starting from Chantauvent’s private beach

The meeting point is on Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny, at Chantauvent Guest House. Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and the first portion lasts about 30 minutes. The setting is one of the tour’s strongest details: you begin from a family-run guesthouse with a private beach, not from a packed departure area.

That calmer start matters. You can take in the morning breeze and get settled before the boat reaches the first points of interest. The guesthouse has been a family home for generations, which adds a local touch to what could otherwise feel like a standard water excursion.

You should plan your transport to the meeting point carefully. The tour ends back there, making it easier to arrange a taxi for the return journey. The final hour is also designed to be flexible. You can leave for your taxi or stay on the sand a little longer, have a cocktail, and enjoy the afternoon light.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the coral origin of the islands

One early point of interest is Ile aux Aigrettes. Unlike the volcanic mainland of Mauritius, this island is made of coralline limestone. It also protects some of the last remaining dry coastal forest once found around much of the island.

The stop offers useful geological and ecological context. You are not just looking at another low island in the sea. Its coral foundation and surviving coastal forest help explain why the southern waters and islets look different from the main island.

The supplied timing does not give a separate duration for this stop, so expect it to be part of the moving coastal route rather than a long shore visit. If you want a detailed nature walk on the island itself, this trip may not be the right format. Its strength is seeing several places from the boat and receiving a broad look at the area.

Passing the Dalblair 1902 shipwreck

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, carrying a crew of 24 under Captain McLaren.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes and has no admission fee. That short pause is enough to connect the modern speedboat ride with the working sea routes that once brought cargo to Mauritius. The wreck is not presented as a long museum visit, so you should keep your expectations realistic. This is a brief look and a story told beside the water.

I find this kind of stop valuable because it breaks up the beach routine. You get a small piece of maritime history without giving up much time in the sun. Bring your attention to the guide during this part, since the story adds much of the meaning.

Île du Phare and the southern reef islands

The route then reaches Île du Phare, also known as Île aux Fouquets or Lighthouse Island. This coral island lies off the southeast coast, near Ilot Vacoas and Île de la Passe, about five kilometers from the mainland. It has held islet national park status since June 5, 2004.

The planned stop is about 45 minutes. The island’s coral origin and lighthouse identity make it one of the more distinctive parts of the route. You get a sense of how many small islands sit around the southeastern edge of Mauritius, each with a different role and character.

The trip information does not promise a guided interior visit or lighthouse access. Treat this as a scenic and interpretive stop, with time to look around according to the conditions of the day. The boat ride itself is part of the experience, so the journey between islands is not wasted time.

The main reward: three hours around Île aux Cerfs

Île aux Cerfs receives the longest portion of the outing, roughly three hours. That gives you time to slow down after the moving boat sections and enjoy the shore at your own pace.

The day’s activities are built around simple pleasures: swimming, snorkeling, sun, sand, and lunch. You may also see marine life in the lagoon during the surrounding stops. The exact water conditions will affect what you see, but the route is designed to show you the coastal environment rather than rush you directly to the beach.

I like the balance here. The tour includes enough activity to feel like an excursion, then gives you a solid block of free time. You will not spend every minute following a guide. After the boat ride and island visits, three hours lets you eat, swim, rest, and decide how active you want to be.

The beach barbecue is included, and it is meant to be a relaxed island meal rather than a formal dining experience. This is also the area where you should be most careful. One person had requested vegetarian food but did not receive a suitable meal, and the operator apologized, explaining that vegetarian meals are accommodated. If you have vegetarian, allergy-related, or other dietary needs, mention them at booking and confirm them with the provider before departure.

That food issue is the clearest weakness in an otherwise strongly praised experience. The problem may have been a communication failure, but you should not leave an important dietary request to chance. A small backup snack may also be sensible, particularly if your needs are strict.

A river mouth and waterfall before the return

The itinerary includes a boat ride through a river mouth, where you pass among trees toward a waterfall. Fresh water drops into the coastal area, creating a meeting point between river and sea.

This section adds a different mood to the day. The open lagoon and low coral islands give way to trees and moving fresh water. The available details do not state a separate duration or name for the waterfall, so conditions may determine how far the boat can go and how long you stay.

You should view this as another scenic component rather than a long inland excursion. The boat does the work, allowing you to see the waterfall without turning the day into a strenuous walk. It is a welcome change after several hours of open water and beach time.

Boat quality, guide service, and group size

The boat was described as modern and clean, which is important on a five-to-six-hour outing. A good boat makes the speed sections more comfortable and gives the whole day a more cared-for feel.

The host is one of the most praised parts of the experience. One guest called the host fantastic and recommended the tour after seeing many of the area’s sights. Another singled out Sebastian as a great captain, especially because the trip became a private and personal circuit.

You should keep in mind that a captain’s ability to adjust the route depends on the day’s conditions and the size of your group. The maximum is 10 people, not a guarantee that every departure will be private. Still, this is far more intimate than a large boat carrying dozens of people.

The tour is suitable for most people, and it is near public transportation. The description does not provide detailed information about mobility access, equipment, or child-specific arrangements, so ask the operator directly if any member of your party has special requirements.

The timing and practical value of $81.30

The advertised duration is about five to six hours, with a 9:30 a.m. start. The schedule includes a 30-minute departure section, a 15-minute wreck stop, a 45-minute stop at Île du Phare, about three hours at Île aux Cerfs, and a final hour at Chantauvent that can include lingering on the beach.

The stated stop times do not form a perfectly exact timetable, which is normal for a boat trip. Weather, tides, sea conditions, and the pace of the group can influence the order and length of stops. You should allow flexibility rather than planning a tightly timed afternoon appointment.

At $81.30, the value is strongest for someone who wants an all-in-one southern Mauritius outing. You receive a boat journey, several points of interest, a beach stop, a barbecue, and the convenience of returning to the starting point. The small capacity also adds value, particularly if you prefer a quieter outing.

It is not the cheapest way to reach a beach, and it may not suit you if you dislike moving between stops. Its appeal is variety. You see more of the southeast coast in one morning and afternoon than you would by simply hiring transport to one island.

Weather, cancellation, and booking advice

This experience depends on good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the choice of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

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

The booking confirmation normally arrives at once, but a reservation made within one day of departure may be confirmed later, subject to availability. Since the trip is commonly booked well ahead, reserving early is sensible if your dates are fixed.

Who should book this Ile aux Cerfs excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact taste of southern Mauritius by water and prefer a small group over a large public boat. It works especially well for couples, families, and friends who want a mix of scenery, swimming, history, food, and unhurried beach time.

It also suits you if Île aux Cerfs is on your list but you want more than a direct transfer. The wreck, coral islands, lagoon stops, and waterfall make the journey part of the day’s purpose.

You may want another option if you need guaranteed dietary arrangements, a fully private boat, extensive time on one island, or detailed accessibility information. The operator aims to accommodate vegetarian meals, but one confirmed failure means you should ask directly and prepare sensibly.

Should you book the speedboat tour?

Book it if you value variety, a clean modern boat, a small group, and a relaxed start from Chantauvent. The captain and host service receive the strongest praise, while the route gives you a good sample of Mauritius’s southeastern waters without requiring a full-day commitment.

Before paying, confirm the meeting point, your return transport, and every dietary requirement. If the forecast is poor, keep your schedule flexible. With those points handled, the $81.30 price offers a fair mix of boat time, island scenery, swimming, a barbecue, and time at Île aux Cerfs.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat 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 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five to six hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the starting point, Chantauvent Guest House.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 10 people.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

Yes. The provided information says most people can participate. Detailed accessibility arrangements are not specified, so contact the provider if you have particular needs.

Does the tour visit Île aux Cerfs?

Yes. Île aux Cerfs is the main stop and receives approximately three hours.

Is a barbecue included?

Yes. A barbecue is included during the Île aux Cerfs portion of the trip.

Can vegetarian meals be arranged?

The operator states that vegetarian meals can be accommodated. Since one booking did not receive the requested vegetarian option, confirm your dietary needs directly before the tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

Is the tour confirmed immediately after booking?

Confirmation is normally received at booking. If you book within one day of travel, confirmation arrives as soon as possible, subject to availability.