Day Trip at Ile aux Cerfs and other Gems of the South.

The best part of this outing is its mix of open-water cruising and unhurried beach time. You are not simply ferried to Ile aux Cerfs and sent off on your own. The route includes snorkeling, lagoon stops, Lighthouse Island, and a barbecue served beside the water.

I like the small-group feel, especially for families. Lucas looked after two young children with unusual care, while Sebastian earned praise for being funny, attentive, and professional. I also like the flexible food options, including a customizable cool box and the chance to add a full lobster meal.

The main thing to check before paying is the group arrangement. The experience is described as suitable for up to six people, while the booking information also says a maximum of 10 participants and the advertised price covers a group of up to four. Ask if your booking guarantees an exclusive boat, since private boat hire and trip customization are also offered.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Bay departure: Meet at Chantauvent Guesthouse, then walk to the property’s Beach House, where the guide waits.
• Several stops, not just one island: The route can include snorkeling near Île aux Aigrettes, lagoon wildlife, a waterfall, Lighthouse Island, and Ile aux Cerfs.
• Beach barbecue included: Lunch is served on the island, with wine included, though the standard wine choice is limited.
• Friendly guide service: Lucas and Sebastian are specifically associated with warm, attentive outings.
• Good for families and couples: The calm pace, private-boat option, and small-group format suit mixed-age groups.
• Six hours on the water: Bring sunglasses, a hat, and a towel, and confirm the exact boat size and start time before booking.

Why this boat day works better than a simple island transfer

Ile aux Cerfs is the headline, but the appeal of this trip is the full route. A basic island transfer gets you from shore to beach. This outing gives you time on the lagoon, stops for swimming and snorkeling, a meal, and a second island visit.

That matters in Mauritius. The scenery changes quickly from the quiet waters around Blue Bay to open stretches of sea and small offshore islands. You get a better sense of the coast from a boat than from a single beach.

The six-hour duration is also well judged. It gives you enough time for a relaxed lunch and water stops without turning the day into a long endurance test. Still, this is not a formal sightseeing cruise with a fixed lecture at every stop. Much depends on the skipper, sea conditions, and how long your group wants to linger.

The activity is offered in French and English. That is useful if your group includes people who prefer different languages. The small-group approach should also make it easier to ask questions, request a short pause, or discuss a private route.

Starting at Chantauvent Guesthouse in Blue Bay

You meet at Chantauvent Guesthouse in Blue Bay. Ask the reception desk for directions to the Beach House, where your guide will be waiting.

This setup is simple, but allow a few minutes to find the right spot. The meeting point is not described as a large public harbor, so do not assume you can arrive at the last second and spot a tour sign from the road.

Blue Bay is a sensible starting point for a day on the southeastern coast. It puts you close to lagoon waters and gives the boat access to several island stops. The trip begins with roughly 15 minutes of sailing, enough time to settle in, stow your things, and get used to the boat.

Bring only what you need. Sunglasses, a hat, and a towel are specifically recommended. You will want sun protection, but keep loose belongings secure while the boat is moving. There is no need to bring snorkeling equipment if it is supplied for the activity, though the information provided does not spell out every piece of equipment included, so confirm that before departure.

Snorkeling and the lagoon stops

The early stops are meant to show you the lagoon rather than rush you straight to the main beach. One outing included a snorkeling stop near Île aux Aigrettes, with time to look for marine life and coral.

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. You are not only looking at the sea from the boat. You get a chance to swim and see what lies below the surface. The material describes colorful coral and a range of marine species, though sightings will depend on water clarity, weather, and the conditions on the day.

One family even saw dolphins from a distance. Treat that as a lucky possibility, not a promised part of the route. The same applies to particular fish, coral, or wildlife sightings. The crew can take you to good areas, but nature sets the schedule.

These stops also help break up the boat ride. If you are prone to seasickness, ask about the route and sea conditions before setting out. The experience includes substantial sailing, and the longer cruise between stops may feel different from the calmer water near shore.

For children, the snorkeling stop can be a highlight, but parents should remain attentive. The outing is family-friendly in spirit, and Lucas was especially praised for caring for young children, yet each family remains responsible for deciding who is ready to swim and how closely children need watching.

Ile aux Cerfs: lunch, beach time, and open space

Ile aux Cerfs is where the day slows down. After the water stops, you have time to swim, sit on the beach, and eat lunch in an island setting.

The barbecue is served on the beach, which gives the meal a relaxed character. This is not a restaurant stop where you eat quickly and return to a coach. You can settle in, enjoy the view, and take a break from the boat.

The meal is described as complete, and the standard lunch includes wine. The catch is that only one type of wine is normally available. If you care about the bottle, you can request a favorite wine for an extra fee. A full lobster meal costs an additional 600 Mauritian rupees per person.

You can also customize the cool box. That is useful for groups with particular food preferences, though the exact choices and pricing should be arranged before the trip. Do not assume every special request is included in the base price.

I like the balance here. You get a proper meal without losing the informal beach setting. On the other hand, Ile aux Cerfs is the busiest and most familiar part of this type of outing, so visitors seeking a completely quiet, empty island may find the beach atmosphere more active than expected. The trip’s smaller boat group helps, but it cannot control how many other people are on the island.

Lighthouse Island and the longer cruise

The route also includes Lighthouse Island, reached after a longer stretch of sailing. The timing provided describes about three hours at Ile aux Cerfs followed by roughly 45 minutes of sailing to Lighthouse Island before returning toward Blue Bay.

That longer cruise is part of the experience, not dead time. You see more of the coast and offshore islands, and the boat gives you a changing view of the water. It is also where the day’s pace can feel most relaxed, especially after lunch.

Lighthouse Island adds variety. Instead of spending the entire outing at one resort-style beach, you visit another distinct island setting. The available information does not promise a detailed walk, interior access, or a long guided tour there, so think of it as a scenic stop rather than a major historical visit.

The timing is worth clarifying with the operator. The itinerary lists sailing durations and stop names, but the exact order and length of each pause may change. A private group has more room to customize this, while a shared trip will follow the skipper’s practical schedule.

Guides, boat size, and the private-trip question

The strongest personal touch comes from the skippers. Lucas is praised for his kindness, smile, and care with children. Sebastian is described as attentive, fun, and professional. Those details matter on a six-hour boat outing, since the skipper shapes the mood as much as the scenery does.

The experience is designed for a small group, with the highlights saying six people maximum. The activity details also refer to a limit of 10 participants. Since the price is listed at $412 per group of up to four, ask three direct questions before booking:

• Is the boat private at the quoted price?
• What is the exact maximum number of people on your departure?
• Can the route and lunch be customized without an extra charge?

The information says you can privatize the boat and customize the trip, but it does not make clear if that is already included in the $412 rate or is an upgrade. Do not leave that point vague, especially if you are booking for two couples, a family, or a special occasion.

For four people, the advertised cost works out to about $103 per person before optional extras. That is fair if you value a small group, a skipper who stays with you, multiple water stops, lunch, and a six-hour route. For one or two people, the per-person cost is much higher unless you are joining others or especially value privacy.

What the six hours feel like

This is an active day, but not a hard one. You will sit on a boat, swim, snorkel, walk on the island, eat, and spend time in the sun. The physical demands are modest, though getting in and out of a boat and swimming in open water may not suit everyone.

The day has three clear moods:

• The first part is about movement and discovery, with lagoon stops and snorkeling.
• The middle is slower, with lunch and beach time at Ile aux Cerfs.
• The final part returns to sightseeing from the water, including Lighthouse Island and the sail back.

That rhythm makes the trip work for couples, friends, and families who want more than a beach day but less structure than a full historical tour. It is also a good pick if your group members have different interests. One person can snorkel while another focuses on swimming, lunch, or the scenery.

You should not book it expecting a guaranteed dolphin encounter, a fully private boat, or a carefully timed schedule at every stop. You should book it if the appeal is a friendly skipper, a flexible day, and several coastal experiences packed into six hours.

What is included and what costs extra

The core package includes the multi-stop boat outing, snorkeling, beach time, and barbecue lunch. Wine is included at lunch, but the standard choice is limited. Your preferred wine costs extra.

A full lobster meal requires an additional 600 rupees per person. A customized cool box may also need to be arranged in advance. These extras are reasonable, but they can change the final price quickly if everyone in your group wants an upgrade.

The $412 group price has good value for four people who want a private or very small outing. It is less compelling for a solo visitor or a pair unless privacy and a custom route are important. Compare it with larger shared boat trips only after checking what those alternatives include. A cheaper fare may offer transport to Ile aux Cerfs but not the same number of stops, lunch setting, or personal attention.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still shifting.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip?

I would point this outing toward:

• Families wanting a manageable day with swimming, food, and a friendly guide
• Couples who prefer a private or small-group boat over a large cruise
• Friends who want snorkeling and beach time in the same outing
• Nature fans who care about lagoon life and offshore islands
• Visitors staying near Blue Bay who want a convenient departure point

I would be more cautious if you dislike long boat rides, need a fully fixed timetable, or want a completely secluded beach. The route includes meaningful sailing time, and the exact pace can depend on the skipper and conditions.

This is also not the right choice if your main goal is a long, technical snorkeling session. Snorkeling is one part of a broad day, alongside cruising, lunch, and island visits. You get variety rather than an all-day focus on one reef.

My verdict: a strong choice for a flexible island day

I like this trip because it treats the boat as the main experience, not just a taxi to Ile aux Cerfs. The snorkeling, possible wildlife sightings, Lighthouse Island, and barbecue give the day more shape than a standard beach transfer.

The best value comes with four people, particularly if the boat is confirmed as private or very small. Before booking, settle the group size, private-boat terms, food upgrades, and exact timing. If Lucas or Sebastian is assigned to your group, you can reasonably expect a warm and attentive style based on the way their outings are described.

Book it if you want a friendly six-hour day with swimming, lunch, and several stops. Skip it if you want a silent, empty beach or a tightly scripted sightseeing program.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

Meet at Chantauvent Guesthouse in Blue Bay. Ask reception for directions to the Beach House, where your guide will be waiting.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in French and English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served on the beach at Ile aux Cerfs. Wine is included, but the standard offering is limited to one type.

Can I order a lobster meal?

Yes. A full lobster meal is available for an additional 600 Mauritian rupees per person.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, and a towel. The trip includes time in the sun, swimming, and snorkeling.