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

One ride, many worlds—lagoon, islands, and old wrecks. This day trip links Mauritius South’s bay life with Ile aux Cerfs beach time, and it does it by boat so you spend less time sitting on the road.

I love the small group size (max 10) and the way the day is paced with several short island stops instead of one long, rushed dash. I also like that the boat is described as modern and clean, which makes the trip feel easy from the first minute.

The main drawback to plan for: lunch can be a mixed bag if you have specific dietary needs. One guest had trouble getting the vegetarian meal they expected, so you’ll want to be very clear when you book.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Private-beach departure from Chantauvent, away from crowded jetties
• Ile aux Cerfs time for swimming and snorkel plus a BBQ lunch setup
• Historic steel shipwreck stop tied to the Dalblaire (1902) story
• Coral-island stops like Île du Phare (Lighthouse Island) with National Park status
• Weather-dependent sailing for safety on the water
• Mobile ticket for a simpler check-in flow

From Chantauvent to the lagoon: why this route feels special

This tour starts in the morning near Pointe d’Esny, then you’ll connect to the Chantauvent Guesthouse area. The big win here is the departure vibe. You’re not funneled through the busiest jetties first. You start closer to nature, in a setting that feels more local and calm.

From there, the day is built around the South’s signature look: clear water, coral formations, and little islands that feel like they belong to a different world than mainland Mauritius. You’ll spend your time cruising, snorkeling when conditions allow, and hopping between islands for short stretches—enough to feel you’ve done something, not so much that you’re constantly sprinting.

The speedboat itself is a key part of the experience. When a boat is clean and modern, the whole day feels smoother, even if you’re only out on the water for half a day. With a group capped at 10, you also avoid that chaotic, everyone-trying-to-film-at-once energy.

Ile aux Cerfs: the main event (swim, snorkel, and BBQ)

Ile aux Cerfs is where you’ll likely spend most of your relaxed beach time, with about 3 hours on the island. The day’s description is very clear about what you can do once you land: swim, snorkel, and eat. That’s the sweet spot for many people—active water time followed by the simple pleasure of staying put.

What I like about this setup is that it gives you both options. If you want to snorkel, you can. If you just want sun and a slow lunch, you can also do that without feeling like you’re falling behind. On a place like this, snorkeling quality often comes down to the conditions of the day, so having a mix of water time plus beach time is smart.

One practical note: your water comfort matters more than your fitness level. If you’re confident in the water, you’ll enjoy the snorkeling. If not, you can still enjoy the swim and beach atmosphere.

And yes, there’s a BBQ lunch. That’s part of the value here—you’re not just paying for transportation and views. You’re getting a planned meal break on an island that’s made for exactly this kind of day out.

The coral-island stops that add variety (and break up the day)

The day doesn’t treat Ile aux Cerfs as the only stop. You’ll also pass through (and in some cases stop at) islands and areas that explain what makes the lagoon in this part of Mauritius different.

Ile aux Aigrettes: coral limestone and old coastal forest

Unlike mainland Mauritius, Ile aux Aigrettes is described as made of coralline limestone. It’s also home to the last remnants of dry coastal forest, which gives the day a bit of ecological context. If you like seeing how islands vary even when the water looks similar, this is the kind of stop that adds meaning without turning into a lecture.

This isn’t presented as a long hiking moment. Instead, it’s a nature-focused waypoint that makes the route feel like more than just a straight line to the beach.

Île du Phare (Lighthouse Island): National Park status since 2004

You’ll also stop at Île du Phare, also known as Île aux Fouquets or Lighthouse Island. This one comes with more formal context: it has Islet National Park status since June 5, 2004, and it’s described as pure coral in origin.

The location is also specific: about five kilometers off the south-eastern coast, near Ilot Vacoas and Île de la Passe. That kind of detail matters because it’s another clue you’re sailing in the kind of island zone where the scenery changes quickly over short distances.

You’ll have around 45 minutes here. That’s enough time to take in the island setting and take some photos, without turning it into a time sink.

A waterfall moment on the way back

There’s also a stop tied to a waterfall where freshwater cascades meet the sea. The description focuses on reaching it by gliding through a river mouth among trees, which tells you this part of the day is meant to slow down a bit and add a different texture than beach-and-snorkel.

Since no specific minutes are given for this stop, treat it as a flexible timing window that fits the day’s sailing pace. If you’re the type who likes to get plans early, this is one area where you’ll want to be okay with the flow.

The Dalblaire 1902 wreck stop: short, but memorable

One of the most interesting waypoints is the shipwreck stop connected to the Dalblaire story. You’ll pass by the remains of the ship Wreck the Dalblair during a 15-minute stop.

Here’s the part that sticks in your mind: on the night of 6–7 February 1902, Le Dalblaire, a three-masted steel ship, got trapped between rocks in Blue Bay. It came from Cardiff in the UK and was headed to Port Louis with a coal cargo. The ship carried 24 men, commanded by Captain McLaren.

Even though you’re not on-site for long, the history turns the day from pure scenery to something with a human story. It’s also a good “reset” moment—after swimming and BBQ, you get a quick dose of drama and context that feels like it belongs to the Indian Ocean, not a postcard.

If you like maritime history or you just enjoy seeing how nature reworks human artifacts, this stop is worth paying attention to.

Price and value: what $81.30 buys you in real terms

At $81.30 per person, this tour lands in the category where you’re paying for more than transportation. You’re buying a full half-day experience that includes:

• a speedboat day with multiple stops,
• access to Ile aux Cerfs for roughly 3 hours,
• a BBQ meal setup,
• and at least some admission/ticket inclusions (Chantauvent is listed with admission included, while other stops are listed free).

Also, the mobile ticket is convenient. You’re not juggling paper vouchers on a boat day.

Where this price becomes a real value is the mix of time. You’re not just sitting on the water. You get island time, plus a structured meal, plus an extra nature/wildlife variety element. For many people, that combination is what makes a day trip feel worth it.

The only value warning I’d give is the lunch/diet part. If you have strict dietary needs, confirm in writing how vegetarian meals are handled on the BBQ day.

Group size and pacing: why max 10 matters

With a maximum of 10 travelers, the day stays manageable. You’re more likely to get help quickly if you need a hand with gear or figuring out when to board for the next stop.

Small groups also make island landings feel less hectic. Ile aux Cerfs is busy compared to a private-sounding moment at Chantauvent, so having fewer people per boat helps the transition feel smoother.

The tour duration is about 5 to 6 hours, starting at 9:30 am. That’s long enough to feel like a real day out, but short enough that you’ll still have energy left for evening plans back on Mauritius.

One practical lesson: dietary needs and the BBQ

This is the one point I’d treat seriously. There was an instance of a guest not receiving a vegetarian lunch they expected after specifying needs at booking. In the response, the provider indicated they do accommodate vegetarians, suggesting the issue may have been a misunderstanding with the meal provider.

So here’s the practical advice: when you book, write your dietary needs clearly and double-check that you’re covered for the BBQ meal. If you can, include specifics like vegetarian only, no seafood, allergies, or how strict you are about cross-contact.

This doesn’t mean you should avoid the tour. It just means you should handle the one weak spot proactively.

Who should book this speedboat day trip

This tour fits well if you want:

• a fast way to reach Ile aux Cerfs with swim and snorkel options,
• a day that mixes beach time with other island viewpoints,
• and a more relaxed feel thanks to a smaller group.

It may be less ideal if you hate boats or you’re sensitive to water conditions. This experience requires good weather, so you should be okay with possible date changes if conditions aren’t right.

Should you book it? My honest call

I’d book this tour if you’re chasing a classic Mauritius South day: speedboat energy, a meaningful stretch at Ile aux Cerfs, and extra island stops that keep the route interesting even when you’re not in the water.

I would also book it with one small mindset shift: treat the BBQ and meals as the one area to confirm. If your dietary needs are simple and you communicate clearly, the day has a lot going for it at this price point.

And if you’re flexible about timing and weather, this is exactly the kind of half-day experience that leaves you happy without exhausting you.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:30 am.

How long is the speedboat day trip?

The duration is about 5 to 6 hours.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at Coastal Road, Coastal Rd, Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What activities are included at Ile aux Cerfs?

At Ile aux Cerfs, you can swim, snorkel, and there’s a BBQ lunch.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.