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

The best part of this small-group speedboat trip is the route itself. You leave from the private beach at Chantauvent Guesthouse, away from the larger jetties, then cross Mauritius’s biggest lagoon toward coral islets, an old shipwreck, a lighthouse island, Ile aux Cerfs, and a waterfall.

I like the variety of stops and the personal feel of a boat carrying no more than 10 people. I also like the departure point, a family-run guesthouse with a quiet beach and a pleasant finish to the day. The main caution is lunch: vegetarian and other dietary needs should be confirmed clearly before departure, since one booking had trouble with this.

Key points at a glance

• A quieter launch point: Begin at Chantauvent Guesthouse’s private beach instead of a crowded public jetty.
• Five to six hours on the water: The day includes coral islands, the Dalblair shipwreck, Île au Phare, Ile aux Cerfs, and a waterfall.
• A personal boat outing: The maximum group size is 10, and a captain such as Sebastian may tailor the route when the group is small.
• Time for swimming and snorkeling: The trip is not only a sightseeing cruise. You get time in the water and on the sand.
• Beach barbecue included: Lunch is served during the Ile aux Cerfs portion, but dietary requests need careful confirmation.
• Good booking flexibility: You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before departure, subject to the tour’s weather and minimum-group rules.

Leaving Chantauvent at 9:30 am

Your morning begins on Coastal Road in Pointe d’Esny, at Chantauvent Guesthouse and Maison d’Hotes. The meeting point matters. Instead of beginning among a line of excursion boats, you start beside a family-run property whose bay has been home to the owners for generations.

The first half-hour is a gentle introduction to the coast. You feel the morning air, settle into the boat, and watch the shore recede as the crew takes you toward the lagoon. This is a better start than rushing straight to the headline beach. You get a sense of the water and the island’s southeastern coast before the main stops begin.

The tour uses a speedboat, so you should expect a more open-air, active ride than you would get on a large catamaran. That makes it easier to move between several points in one morning, though the ride may feel brisk when the sea is choppy. The boat is described as modern and clean, and the maximum of 10 people leaves more room for conversation with the captain.

If your group is small, the route can feel especially personal. One highly praised outing was captained by Sebastian, who created a private circuit for a party traveling alone. That does not mean every departure will be private, but it does show how the small capacity can shape the day.

The coral origins of Ile aux Aigrettes

One early point of interest is Ile aux Aigrettes, an island made of coralline limestone rather than the volcanic rock that forms mainland Mauritius. That geological difference gives the island a special place in the story of the coast.

The island contains the last remnants of dry coastal forest that once covered much of Mauritius. From the boat, this stop adds more than another pretty view. It gives you a quick look at how the island’s natural past has been reduced and preserved in small pockets.

The available timing is not clearly assigned to this stop, so treat it as a viewing or passing point rather than expecting a long shore visit. The day is built around moving through the lagoon, not around extended walks on every island. That is useful to know if you want a full nature hike. This trip offers scenery and context, but its main focus is the water.

Passing the Dalblair 1902 shipwreck

The boat then passes close to the remains of the Dalblair, a three-masted steel ship that wrecked in Blue Bay on the night of February 6 to 7, 1902. The vessel 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 cruise a human detail that many island boat outings lack. You are not just looking at rocks and water. You are passing a site tied to a difficult night in the area’s maritime past.

The scheduled stop is about 15 minutes and admission is free. Do not expect a museum visit or a long land excursion here. The value is in seeing the remains from the boat and hearing the story from the crew. If you enjoy small historical details, this is one of the most memorable parts of the route. If you prefer long swimming sessions, it is a short pause before the more relaxed island time.

Île au Phare and the southeastern islets

The boat continues to Île aux Fouquets, better known as Île au Phare or Lighthouse Island. It sits about five kilometers off the southeastern coast, near Ilot Vacoas and Île de la Passe.

The island is made entirely of coral and has held Islet National Park status since June 5, 2004. The tour allows about 45 minutes here, making it one of the more substantial sightseeing stops before Ile aux Cerfs.

The lighthouse gives the islet its identity, but the wider setting is just as important. You are surrounded by low coral islands and open lagoon water, with the boat providing the best way to understand how these small pieces of land fit together.

The itinerary also calls for a stop near the lighthouse island for about 30 minutes during the trip to Ilot Phare. Exact timing can vary, so do not plan your day around a strict minute-by-minute schedule. Boat conditions and the pace of the group may affect how long you remain at any one point.

This is where the tour’s small size helps. With up to 10 people, you can ask the captain about the islands, the wreck, and the route without trying to catch someone’s attention across a large boat. The captain’s approach makes a difference here. Sebastian is specifically praised for creating a one-off circuit, but the provider may assign a different captain on your date.

Three hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event, and the tour allows roughly three hours for this part of the day. That is enough time to slow down after the boat ride rather than treating the island as a quick photo stop.

The plan combines beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and a barbecue. You can choose how active you want to be. If you have spent the morning watching islands and wreck remains, the beach gives you room to stretch out and rest. If you want more action, the lagoon offers a chance to get in the water.

The description promises an exploration of the lagoon’s fauna and several stops around the southern islands. Snorkeling is included as part of the experience, but specific equipment details are not provided, so ask the operator what is supplied if gear matters to you.

I like the balance here. Ile aux Cerfs is not treated only as a beach resort stop, and the earlier islands prevent the day from becoming a simple transfer to one popular shore. At the same time, you get a solid block of unhurried time at the beach, which is important after a morning of moving between sites.

The barbecue is a useful part of the price, since it saves you from arranging lunch separately during a boat-based day. But this is also the tour’s clearest weak spot. One booking included a request for vegetarian food and still received an unsuitable lunch. The provider apologized and said vegetarian meals can be accommodated, but you should confirm your needs directly and again before the trip. Be specific about vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or other dietary requirements.

Do not expect a formal restaurant meal. This is a beach barbecue in a simple island setting. That can be part of the charm, but it also means food quality and menu choice may be more basic than at a hotel or restaurant. If lunch is central to your decision, get the details before paying.

A waterfall reached by river mouth

After Ile aux Cerfs, the route includes a waterfall reached through a river mouth. The boat glides among trees before freshwater pours down toward the sea.

This section changes the rhythm of the day. You move from open lagoon views and exposed coral islands into a narrower, greener waterway. The meeting of fresh water and seawater gives the stop its appeal, and the boat ride through the trees is part of the sight.

The information provided does not give the waterfall’s name or a fixed stop length. You should therefore think of it as a scenic visit along the route rather than a promised long walk or swimming session. The boat does the work, carrying you through the river mouth to the cascade.

Returning to Chantauvent for a quiet finish

The tour ends back at Chantauvent Guesthouse, with about an hour listed for the final stop. You can leave for your taxi or stay on the beach a little longer, order a cocktail, and watch the last warm light of the afternoon.

That ending is a genuine advantage. Many water trips finish at a busy dock, where the day ends with a scramble for transport. Here, you return to the same calm beach where you started. If your taxi is not due immediately, you have somewhere pleasant to wait.

The activity begins at 9:30 am and lasts about five to six hours, though the listed stop times add up to a longer day if read as exact blocks. Treat the schedule as an outline, not a guarantee. Water conditions, the group, and the pace of the route can affect the finish.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity is suitable for most people. No special accessibility details are provided, so anyone who needs specific boarding or mobility assistance should ask before booking.

What the $81.30 price buys you

At $81.30 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs, but it offers more than a direct boat transfer. You are paying for a half-day route with several coastal points, a small maximum group, a speedboat, time at the beach, snorkeling and swimming opportunities, a barbecue, and the return to the original beach.

The strongest value comes from the range of places covered in five to six hours. A direct visit to Ile aux Cerfs may give you more time on one beach, but it will not offer the same sequence of coral islands, the Dalblair wreck, Île au Phare, and the waterfall.

The small capacity also matters. A boat limited to 10 people is easier to manage than a large outing when you want to ask questions or avoid a crowded feel. The best experience may come when the group is smaller, since the captain has more room to adjust the circuit.

The price is less convincing if you mainly want a long beach day or a polished lunch. The barbecue has had a dietary-service problem, and the tour’s value rests more on the boat route and personal attention than on food. I would book it for the water itinerary, not for the meal alone.

The tour is commonly booked well in advance, with an average lead time of 52 days. That suggests planning ahead is sensible, especially if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is normally issued at booking, though bookings made within one day of departure are confirmed as soon as possible, depending on availability.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted and the amount paid is not refunded. The trip depends on good weather and a minimum number of bookings. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Who will enjoy this speedboat day

I would choose this outing if you want a well-packed half-day on the water rather than a single beach stop. It suits couples, families, and small groups who enjoy mixing swimming with scenery and short historical stories.

It is also a good match if you dislike large organized excursions. The 10-person limit and Chantauvent departure give the trip a more personal shape. A captain such as Sebastian may be able to adjust the circuit when the group is very small, though that should not be treated as a guaranteed private charter.

You should think twice if you need a carefully controlled diet and do not want to spend time confirming lunch arrangements. You may also prefer another option if your main aim is a quiet, uninterrupted beach day, since this tour moves through several locations.

The trip is suitable for most people, but the operator provides no detailed information about accessibility or specific snorkeling equipment. Ask before booking if those points affect your decision.

Should you book Speed Boat Tour Ile aux Cerfs and Other Gems of the South?

Book it if you want variety, a small boat, and a relaxed beach finish. The route gives you more than the usual ride to Ile aux Cerfs, and the quiet launch from Chantauvent is a real advantage. The captain and boat quality can make the day feel personal rather than mass-produced.

Before you commit, confirm the barbecue menu in writing if you are vegetarian or have dietary restrictions. Also allow some flexibility around the finish time, since this is a weather-dependent boat outing with several stops.

At 4.8 out of 5 from 20 ratings, with 95 percent recommending it, the overall record is strong. The praise centers on the friendly host, clean modern boat, varied route, and personal service. For an active but manageable day in southeastern Mauritius, I would consider it good value, provided lunch is not your main priority.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at Chantauvent Guesthouse and Maison d’Hotes on Coastal Road, Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of 10 participants.

Which places are included in the route?

The route includes Chantauvent Guesthouse, Ile aux Aigrettes, the Dalblair 1902 shipwreck, Île au Phare, Ile aux Cerfs, a waterfall reached through a river mouth, and the return to Chantauvent.

Is lunch included?

A beach barbecue is included during the Ile aux Cerfs portion of the trip.

Can vegetarian meals or other dietary needs be accommodated?

The provider states that vegetarian meals can be accommodated. You should confirm vegetarian, allergy, or other dietary requirements before departure.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you can also choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.