A quiet launch makes the whole day feel easier. This speed boat route takes you from Chantauvent Guesthouse and its private beach into the south of Mauritius, with stops that mix coral islands, a shipwreck story, and standout time on Ile aux Cerfs.

I especially like how the trip starts away from the crowded jetties, so the day feels relaxed from minute one.

Next, I like the variety of what you see in a few hours. You’ll get island time for swimming and snorkeling, learn about coral-based islands like Ile aux Aigrettes, and also pass the remains of the steel shipwreck Le Dalblaire. The only real caution I’d flag is lunch and dietary needs: one vegetarian booking wasn’t accommodated as expected, even though the provider says they do handle vegetarian meals, so you should confirm clearly during booking.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group on a modern boat: capped at 10 people, with a clean, newer-feeling ride.
• Private start at Chantauvent: far from the main docks, set on a bay the family has lived with for generations.
• Three to four real stop points before Ile aux Cerfs: Aigrettes area, Le Dalblaire wreck pass, and Île aux Fouquets (Île du Phare).
• Ile aux Cerfs for about 3 hours: built-in swim and snorkel time, plus a BBQ lunch on the beach.
• A waterfall stop style moment: a river-mouth glide through trees to see freshwater meeting the sea.

Where the boat leaves, and why it matters

This is the kind of trip where the first 30 minutes can set your mood for the whole day. You depart from Chantauvent Guesthouse, not the usual crowded departure points. That difference is practical, not cosmetic. Less chaos means you get moving sooner, and you start with a calmer feel before you hit the water.

Chantauvent is also close to nature. Instead of walking through a busy terminal scene, you’re starting from a private beach and bay. It’s a smaller, more personal way to begin a big lagoon day.

Chantauvent Guesthouse launch, your calmer first hour

Your morning starts with a ticketed stop at Chantauvent Guesthouse or Maison d’Hotes. The idea is simple: cruise out of a quieter setting and head toward the bigger lagoon areas and the islands in the south.

From a value perspective, this matters because the day is already priced like a half-day experience, not just a quick transfer. Having included entry at the first stop (about 30 minutes) and then included entry again at the end (about 1 hour) makes it feel like you’re getting a real day plan, not only boat time.

Also, the meeting point is on the Coastal Road at Pointe d’Esny, and the tour ends back at the same place. That helps if you are trying to manage your own transport later, since you’re not left scrambling across town.

South-coast island hopping: Aigrettes, Le Dalblaire wreck, and Île du Phare

This route mixes pure sightseeing with a bit of story, and that keeps the trip from feeling like you’re only rushing to the main island.

Ile aux Aigrettes area

You’ll learn about Ile aux Aigrettes, which differs from much of mainland Mauritius. It’s made up of coralline limestone, and it’s associated with the last remnants of dry coastal forest that once existed around more of the island. Even if you only get a short look from the water, it’s a useful contrast: not volcanic Mauritius, but the coral-based side of the island story.

Passing the wreck of Le Dalblaire in Blue Bay

Next, you pass the remains of the shipwreck Le Dalblaire. This is one of those quick stop moments that sticks because the details are concrete. On the night of 6 to 7 February 1902, the steel, three-masted ship got trapped in between rocks in Blue Bay. It was coming from Cardiff in the UK, heading toward Port Louis with coal, and had a crew of 24 men under Captain McLaren.

It’s only a brief moment in the plan (about 15 minutes, free admission), but it gives shape to the water you’re traveling on. You stop seeing it as a blank stretch and start seeing it as a place with real events tied to it.

Île aux Fouquets, also called Île du Phare (Lighthouse Island)

Then comes Lighthouse Island time. Île aux Fouquets, also known as Île du Phare, is a coral-origin island off the south-east coast. It has had islet national park status since June 5, 2004. It sits about five kilometers off the coast, near Ilot Vacoas and Île de la Passe.

You get around 30 to 45 minutes here, and it’s free admission. Practically, that window is long enough to stretch, take photos, and let your brain switch modes from boat motion to island stillness.

Ile aux Cerfs for swimming and BBQ time, plus the waterfall moment

This is the main event. The day trip includes roughly 3 hours on Ile aux Cerfs, where natural scenery and marine time are the focus.

You can expect:

• swimming and snorkeling time
• beach relaxation
• a BBQ meal

The pitch says you’ll feast on a delicious barbecue, and that’s the kind of included meal that makes a boat day feel like a real outing rather than a “bring your own lunch” chore. In practice, you’re on the beach, eating while you’re still in vacation mode.

The river mouth glide to the waterfall

One of the more distinctive bits is the way you reach a waterfall viewpoint. The plan describes gliding through a river mouth among trees to get to a waterfall where freshwater cascades meet the sea. That’s a nice change of pace from just watching the shoreline. You’re switching from ocean time to a mixed freshwater-and-coast moment.

I’d treat this like a short activity segment, not a full-on hike day. If you keep your pace easy and you’re not trying to see everything in panic speed, you’ll enjoy it more.

Lunch and dietary needs: what to plan for

One negative point is real enough to mention carefully. A vegetarian lunch request wasn’t handled as expected in at least one instance, and the provider apologized for that kind of miss, while also stating they do accommodate vegetarians.

So my advice is simple: when you book, make sure your dietary requirements are clearly stated. If you are strict about vegetarian meals, don’t assume it’s automatic, even if the provider says they can accommodate.

Boat ride and timing: fitting 5 to 6 hours into a real day

The whole tour runs about 5 to 6 hours, starting at 9:30 am. It’s a day trip that works well if you want a full experience but you still want dinner plans later without feeling stranded.

Here’s how the timing usually breaks down in your head:

• start and first stop near the guesthouse, about 30 minutes
• short island and shipwreck moments en route
• a lighthouse island stop around the 30 to 45 minute range
• the longest stretch at Ile aux Cerfs for about 3 hours
• return, with about 1 hour back at Chantauvent

The plan also offers a nice end-of-day choice: either head out for your taxi or take a slower moment at the guesthouse, with the option to linger on the sand and sip a cocktail. That’s not required, but it’s a good perk if your day started early and you want a gentle landing.

Price and value at about $81.30 per person

At $81.30 per person, this isn’t a “cheapest boat ride in Mauritius” kind of deal. But it can still be good value if you care about the full package.

Why it can feel worth it:

• multiple stops, not only a one-island run
• about 3 hours at Ile aux Cerfs, including swim and snorkel time and a BBQ meal
• included admission at the Chantauvent start and end points
• a small group limit of 10 people, which usually means less waiting and more personal attention
• a modern, clean boat ride, which matters on a day where you’ll spend real time on the water

I also like that the itinerary has both “wow views” and “story moments.” Seeing coral-based places, passing Le Dalblaire, and then spending beach time at Ile aux Cerfs gives you variety without turning the day into a checklist marathon.

Who this fits best:

• You want a boat day but hate the idea of long, crowded ferry terminals.
• You like mixing natural scenery with at least a little factual context.
• You want swim and snorkeling time and don’t want to handle meals.

Who might rethink:

• If you are very dependent on strict dietary handling, double check your lunch request before the day.
• If you hate boat time, this is still a speed boat outing, so expect water motion.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs speed boat day trip?

I think you should book if your idea of a great Mauritius half-day is this combo: quiet departure, multiple south-coast stops, and a real block of time on Ile aux Cerfs with swim and snorkeling plus BBQ.

One strong reason to go is the start. Leaving from Chantauvent means you avoid the busiest jetty chaos and start your day near nature. Another strong reason is the pacing. With about 3 hours on Ile aux Cerfs and a route that includes a wreck pass and Île du Phare, you’ll feel like you did more than just park yourself on a beach.

If lunch needs are a big deal, handle that part carefully. Confirm your dietary requirement when booking, so you’re not the person trying to solve a meal problem mid-day.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The tour starts at 9:30 am. The total duration is about 5 to 6 hours.

Where do you meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet on the Coastal Road at Pointe d’ Esny, Mauritius. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers, which helps keep it feeling more personal.

What do you do on Ile aux Cerfs?

On Ile aux Cerfs, the plan includes swim and snorkel time, plus a BBQ meal on the island’s beach.

Are there stops besides Ile aux Cerfs?

Yes. You also go by or stop at Chantauvent, Ile aux Aigrettes area, the Dalblaire shipwreck pass, and Île du Phare, also known as Île aux Fouquets (Lighthouse Island).

What happens if weather is bad or the minimum number of travelers isn’t met?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, it can also be canceled with a different date or a full refund offered.