Île aux Cerfs in Mauritius

Directly off the beautiful east coast of Mauritius lies the small, uninhabited island of Île aux Cerfs. Those who set out to explore this natural beauty will quickly realize: This is exactly how one imagines Mauritius. Perhaps even a little bit more beautiful, but you should see for yourself...

The approximately 87 hectares of Île aux Cerfs, which translates to 'Deer Island,' comes quite close to the idea of paradise. White sandy beaches are surrounded by crystal-clear water and a rich landscape of pines and palm trees. Today, I'll take you to one of the most beautiful spots during your Mauritius vacation and show you what you can experience on Île aux Cerfs.

Getting There | Activities

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The beautiful Île aux Cerfs is located off the east coast of Mauritius. There are various ways to reach the offshore island. Unless you are spending your vacation in one of the hotels on the eastern part of the island, you should rent a car and drive to the east coast towards Trou d'Eau Douce. Alternatively, you can take the buses that operate in Mauritius. However, be prepared for a longer travel time.

Note: The trip to Île aux Cerfs costs between €5 and €30, depending on whether you book with or without food included.

From Trou d'Eau Douce, you can take a speedboat or a catamaran to Île aux Cerfs. The boat ride itself becomes a small adventure and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. My tip: Take a tour that starts early in the morning, as the last boats leave Île aux Cerfs back to the main island around 4 PM.

Once you arrive at the small harbor of Île aux Cerfs, you can see that the uninhabited island is no longer a hidden gem. Many boats are bobbing in the water nearby, where first-day tourists have already made themselves comfortable on the sand, enjoying typical Creole specialties at the two restaurants or browsing the colorful souvenir shops.

If you think that Île aux Cerfs only has sights for the eyes, you are mistaken. With a length of just 1.2 kilometers and a width of 600 meters, there aren't many significant attractions to visit, but the island offers plenty of exciting water activities. From snorkeling and diving to parasailing and paragliding, it's a real paradise for water sports enthusiasts.

The beaches are even more paradise-like than one expects in Mauritius.

After exciting hours on the water - or perhaps on the golf course - there is nothing better than relaxing on one of the dream beaches or getting cozy at a beautiful beach bar with a cool cocktail in hand. For that, I recommend heading north or east from the harbor. You'll find quieter beaches there, some of which might even be empty if you're lucky. Walk into the crystal-clear water shimmering in various shades of turquoise and feel the soft sand beneath your toes before you let yourself drift gently.

If you are a fan of golf, there is an 18-hole golf course waiting for you on Île aux Cerfs, designed and opened personally by the famous golfer Bernhard Langer in 2003. The 38-hectare area is among the top 100 golf courses according to Golfscape - with this view and a well-maintained golf course, it's no surprise to me.

Since Île aux Cerfs is an uninhabited island, you won't find hotels directly on the island. My tip: It's best to book accommodation on the east coast of the island. From here, ferries run regularly and will quickly take you to Île aux Cerfs.

What did you think of your trip to the wonderful Île aux Cerfs? You can be sure that a visit to this island will be one of the most beautiful experiences of your Mauritius trip. To read about what other highlights the island in the Indian Ocean has to offer, check out my other articles. Or come here yourself and discover the beauty of the country. I've already compiled the best offers for you.

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