Île aux Cerfs

A small lagoon island on the east coast, visited as a day trip by boat.

Explore the East CoastTrou d’Eau Douce guide

Hero image: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.

Île aux Cerfs is a small island in the wide lagoon off the east coast of Mauritius, close to Trou d’Eau Douce. It is known for its sandy beaches and shallow, turquoise water, and it is one of the most popular day trips on the island.

There is no accommodation on the island for overnight stays in this guide’s catalogue; visitors arrive by boat in the morning and leave in the afternoon. Expect restaurants, beach bars and water-sports operators rather than wilderness, especially on the beaches closest to the landing points.

Why visit Île aux Cerfs

Île aux Cerfs offers the classic lagoon-island day: soft sand, shallow water and a boat ride across the lagoon. For visitors staying on the east coast it is the obvious excursion; for those elsewhere it can be combined with a tour of the east.

Its popularity is also its drawback. Beaches near the landing points can be crowded, especially at weekends and in high season, and much of the island is developed for visitors. Walking a little further along the shore usually brings quieter spots.

What to expect on the island

Boats land near the main facilities, where there are restaurants, beach bars and water-sports operators offering activities such as parasailing and tube rides. Beaches further from the landing area are generally calmer. A golf course occupies part of the island.

Choosing a boat trip

Trips range from simple return shuttles to day-long catamaran or speedboat excursions combining the island with snorkelling or the Grande Rivière Sud-Est waterfall. Compare inclusions, time actually spent on the island and the type of boat before booking, and confirm current prices directly with the operator.

Getting there and around

Boats leave mainly from Trou d’Eau Douce, and some hotels in the area run their own transfers. Day trips from other parts of the island usually include road transport to the departure point.

There are no roads on the island; you get around on foot along the shore.

Best time to visit

Calmer days make for a more comfortable crossing; strong south-east trade winds in the cooler months can make the lagoon choppy. Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends. Trips may be cancelled in severe weather, particularly during the cyclone season.

How long to stay

Most visitors spend a half day or a full day. A full day allows time to walk to quieter beaches and to combine the island with other stops in the lagoon.

Nearby destinations

Trou d’Eau DouceA fishing village and the main boat departure point for Île aux Cerfs.Read the Trou d’Eau Douce guide →Belle MareA long white-sand beach and wide lagoon on the central east coast.Read the Belle Mare guide →MahébourgA historic town on the bay of Grand Port, close to the airport.Read the Mahébourg guide →

Frequently asked questions

Can you stay overnight on Île aux Cerfs?

Île aux Cerfs is treated as a day-trip destination in this guide. Stay at Trou d’Eau Douce, Belle Mare or elsewhere on the east coast.

Is Île aux Cerfs worth it?

For a classic lagoon-island day, yes, especially if you walk beyond the busiest beaches. It is less suited to travellers seeking solitude.

How long is the boat ride to Île aux Cerfs?

It depends on the boat and the route; ask your operator. Shuttle crossings from Trou d’Eau Douce are short.

Plan the rest of your trip

• East Coast region guide
• Trou d’Eau Douce guide
• Where to stay on the East Coast of Mauritius
• Mauritius tours and activities

Official sources for Île aux Cerfs

Opening hours, entry fees, boat and transport schedules, access rules and park conditions change; check the official source before you travel.

• Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) — official visitor information
• Mauritius Meteorological Services — forecasts, warnings and cyclone bulletins

Where to stay, and what to book

Île aux Cerfs has no accommodation of its own in our catalogue. Stay nearby: browse Trou d’Eau Douce accommodation or East Coast accommodation, and see tours and activities for boat excursions. See also where to stay on the East Coast.