Best Beaches, Activities & Map for your Day Trip to Ile aux Cerfs Island

The Paradise Island

First and foremost, Ile aux Cerfs has absolutely gorgeous beaches – one of the best I’ve seen on my trip to Mauritius. For that particular reason, it has a reputation of the most beautiful isle in Mauritius. While it is not necessarily true, the title helps Ile aux Cerfs to maintain the status of the most visited place in the whole of the island nation. Once you’ll see its white-wine-coloured beaches and crystal clear waters, you’ll quickly understand why people chose to come to this privately owned island instead of so many majestic places in Mauritius.

The English name of Ile aux Cerfs is the Deer Island. You would imagine that it is full of these mammals but instead, in the interior of the island you’ll find the best golf course in Mauritius, and arguably in the world. This defines Ile aux Cerfs as it proudly labels itself as the leisure island. Some parts of it are closed off for non-golf visitors but technically, you can walk around the island by the beach.

Naturally, deers are not natural inhabitants in Mauritius. Like in most of the islands, due to the ocean barrier, land mammals can’t just come here. Rusa deers, like many other species, were brought here by humans. (Un)fortunately, you can’t find any deers left on the island. The name comes from the past when the island was populated by deer species from Java Island. If you want to see some of these animals, you can still find some on Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden during one of the popular Mauritius North Island Tours. If you want to see some remaining endemic species of Mauritius, a tour to South West Mauritius is the place to go.

Ile aux Cerfs Details

• Location: Trou d’Eau Douce
• District: Flacq
• Coordinates: 20.2724° N, 57.8041°
• Population: 0
• Max length: 1.2 km / 0.75 mi
• Area: 0.87 km² (0.34 sq mi)
• Forecast: Ile aux Cerfs forecast
• Tide calendar: Mauritius tides
• Best time to visit: November – February
• Transfer: Trou d’Eau Douce – Ile aux Cerfs, Mahebourg – Ile aux Cerfs

Map of Mauritius

After disembarking on the shore of the island you’ll be greeted by a person, who will tell some basic information about the public part of Ile aux Cerfs for the first-timers. If it is not your first time, you’ll be kindly invited to try one of the activities the leisure island has to offer. I’ve marked everything you need to know on the map.

Best Beaches in Ile aux Cerfs

Generally, every part of Ile aux Cerfs facing the ocean has paradise-like beaches, therefore finding a good one is not a problem. The problem is to find some privacy or even space on the island. Ile aux Cerfs gets crowded as the day goes on, therefore, if possible, I suggest getting early to Ile aux Cerfs to secure a sweet spot. I’ve marked some of the best spots on the map, but as a general rule – the further you go from the beach, the less crowded it gets. Some people simply don’t get that the island has more than 4 km / 2.5 mi of sandy beaches, therefore they chose to crowd like hippos baking under the tropical sun by the perfect turquoise waters, instead of walking a bit further, where you can find a beach almost entirely for yourself.

Like anywhere else in the islands, locals tend to go to the beaches during the weekends, the same applies to Ile aux Cerfs. Therefore, during these days, the most popular areas get even more crowded than usual. Luckily, there is enough white beach to explore for several visits to the island, and potentially more. My favourite spots include Pointe Grand Vacoas (C), Ile aux Cerfs Beach (B) and Ilot Mangenie Beach (B). See the references on the map.

Activities in Ile aux Cerfs

Given that the island is the most visited place in Mauritius there must be something to it more than just beaches. Yes, they are exceptionally beautiful but it is not like Mauritius lacks white-sanded long beaches. The secret of Ile aux Cerfs is marketing. Since it is a privately owned island with public access there must be a business model hidden somewhere. It comes in a form of countless activities Ile aux Cerfs has to offer to its visitors. Don’t worry, you can enjoy most of the beaches because getting into the ocean and 5 meters by the coast is open for everyone by the local law.

Parasailing

One of the most popular activities remaining on the island is parasailing. I haven’t tried it but from what I saw, the majority of the time of the tour, people are simply waiting for their turn on a raft. Nevertheless, it looks like fun, especially if you can tackle with heights. If I ever get a chance to get back to Ile aux Cerfs, I would give it a go. Not because of the activity itself but because I want to see this paradise-like corner of Mauritius from the bird’s-eye view. After climbing Le Morne Rock and seeing the underwater waterfall illusion I’ve learned to appreciate the potential of the island’s beauty from above.

Golf

I’m not a golf fan but Golf World magazine listed Ile aux Cerfs golf course as the #1 of their Top-20 Golf courses to play, once in your lifetime. I’m not sure if it means that the golf course on the island is very good, or simply that Ile aux Cerfs is very beautiful. Either way, I imagine every enthusiast of the sport would love to play their favourite game in this beautiful exotic setting. The 19-hole golf course on Ile aux Cerfs was designed by the 2-time Masters Champion, Bernhard Langer. The golf course is open to everyone, but Shangri-La Le Touessrok Hotel’s visitors get exclusive access to it.

Snorkeling

All the masses of tourists pour into the island not snorkeling but for postcard-perfect beaches, therefore don’t expect much. Still, if you are in the water, it wouldn’t hurt testing your luck for some colourful fishes, which occur from time to time.

Best Snorkeling Spots in Ile aux Cerfs

You’ll find some interesting fishes along the rocks like butterflyfishes, boxfishes or even Moorish Idol; In the midst of the blue lagoon lookout for lagoon triggerfishes, and white-spotted puffers. Just be careful of sea urchins and boats: both are plentiful in Ile aux Cerfs. While fishes might look more colourful during a low tide, unless you really know what you are doing, I suggest snorkeling in Ile aux Cerfs only during a low tide. I’ve marked all the best snorkeling spots I’ve found on the map.

How to get to Ile aux Cerfs

Since it is an island, naturally, there are not many ways to get to Ile aux Cerfs. There are some water taxis from there and here like Pointe Maurice Jetty, and free water transfers from local hotels like Tropical Attitude. If you want to reach the island from outside the local area, I suggest taking a tour. This way you’ll be able to relax, it is your vacation after all.

Tours to Ile aux Cerfs

If you don’t live in the proximal area of Ile aux Cerfs, the most convenient way to visit the island is a guided tour. It might look more expensive, but for somebody accommodated in the East (like me), a trip to the west would cost the same. I find these tours fairly priced compared to any standard day trips in Mauritius.

• From Trou d’Eau Douce: Full-day catamaran cruise with BBQ – (6h00 | from € 64.00/person). The price covers a day cruise on a catamaran; A possibility to snorkel with colourful tropical fishes; An attentive service; BBQ lunch and unlimited drinks on board; Desserts on the island.
• From Trou d’Eau Douce: Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE waterfalls cruise – (6h00 | from € 58.00/person). The price covers hotel pick-up and drop-off from Tamarin, Grand Baie and Trou d’Eau Douce; A possibility to snorkel with colourful tropical fishes; A visit to Grand River waterfall; A tour guide in both English and French; BBQ lunch and drinks.
• From Trou d’Eau Douce: Speed boat trip to east coast islands – (7h00 | from € 125.00/person). The price covers hotel pick-up and drop-off from anywhere in Mauritius; A possibility to snorkel with colourful tropical fishes; A tour guide in both English and French; BBQ lunch in Ile aux Cerfs; Drinks; A visit to Grand River waterfall; Visits to Lighthouse island, Ile aux Aigrettes and Ile aux Cerfs.
• From Mahebourg: Full-day catamaran cruise with BBQ – (7h00 | from € 60.00/person). The price covers hotel pick-up and drop-off from anywhere in Mauritius; A trip on a 45-foot catamaran; A possibility to snorkel with colourful tropical fishes; A tour guide in both English and French; Light breakfast before the departure and BBQ lunch and drinks.

These guided tours are coordinated with the partnership of GetYourGuide, which guarantees the quality of the tour and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour date.

Personal Experience

To put it simply, what could be better than an island offshore the island? The layout of shores is much more interesting, the same birds look more vibrant, white sand looks even whiter and in general – the beaches look much more picturesque and remote. Ile aux Cerfs is the most popular destination in Mauritius not without a reason, it is a perfect place to feel like you are all alone on an uninhabited island. I bet it is the main reason driving people to this place in masses, which, on the other hand, destroys parts of the purpose in the first place. I, myself, visited Ile aux Cerfs several times and I had no regrets about spending my time here. It is a perfect one day trip in Mauritius, especially outside the weekends, when fewer people tend to come here.

What Can I do to Protect Ile aux Cerfs?

• Use a minimum amount of suncream – The majestic beaches of Ile aux Cerfs are covered by trees, it is very easy to find a shade to protect yourself from the torching tropical sun. If you have to use sunscreen, pick a coral-safe option. I personally, spent my time in a shade, and when I went into the water for snorkeling, I tried to use a swimming t-shirt and a minimal amount of coral-safe sunscreen. If you have to take a lot of it – don’t go for a swim without a shower. This will help corals and lifeforms to bounce back around Ile aux Cerfs.
• Pick-up your trash – This will help to maintain what is left of the biodiversity on the island. Most of the birds in Mauritius are pushed out by the trash-picking invasive mynas and bulbuls.
• Hire a nature-conscious transfer operator – Most speed boat captains care only about fun and impressing their clients. They swim across these pristine waters like nobody is there except for themselves. Slow boat navigation will reduce the disruption of the local animals and direct physical damage of the corals to the minimum.