With a calm turquoise lagoon boasting an array of colorful marine life, powdery white-sand beaches, and an award-winning golf course, Ile aux Cerfs is the perfect addition to a 7-day trip to Mauritius.
The island is famous for its water activities but the best part is that you can even spot dolphins on your way to Ile aux Cerfs!
If you’re wondering how to get to Ile aux Cerfs, this guide will walk you through the best ways to get there whether you’re on a budget or want to splurge for a special occasion.
I’ll also share some of the best tours to take including catamaran and speedboat trips, the best things to do on the island, and recommendations on where to stay.
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The best Ile aux Cerfs tour is this Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise! Including BBQ lunch, free-flowing drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and hotel transfers (if option selected). As a best-selling tour, it books FAST so grab your spot early!
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About Ile aux Cerfs
Ile aux Cerfs is a privately owned island located off the east coast of Mauritius.
It boasts a crystal-clear turquoise lagoon that’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling and since the water is shallow, it’s the ideal playground for small children.
Another notable feature of the island is the stunning sandbar that stretches out to the sea. The sandbar is completely exposed at low tide and makes for a stunning photo backdrop.
During your trip to Ile aux Cerfs, you can do a wide range of water activities such as snorkeling, parasailing, water skiing, undersea walk, and tube ride.
It’s also well set up for tourists with sun loungers available for rent, a small handicraft market, and free toilets/changing rooms.
There are three restaurants and bars on the island but they are quite expensive which is why I recommend booking a tour of Ile aux Cerfs which includes a BBQ lunch buffet.
Some people have complained that Ile aux Cerfs is too touristy but as long as you avoid the weekends, you should encounter fewer people.
Ile aux Cerfs is open daily from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.
Related post: 44 places you need to visit in Mauritius
How to get to Ile aux Cerfs?
Public ferry to Ile aux Cerfs (Boat Taxi)
The cheapest way to get to Ile aux Cerfs is by boat taxi which is great for those visiting Mauritius Island on a budget.
The boat departs from Trou D’Eau Douce (see location here) and Pointe Maurice Jetty near Shangri-La Resort (see location here).
A roundtrip boat transfer from Trou D’Eau Douce costs around Rs 500-800 per person and it takes around 20-30 minutes to get to the island.
If you’re coming by car, you can park at this location. Keep in mind that the parking lot is small and fills up quickly during the weekend.
On the other hand, the boat transfer from Point Maurice is shorter (around 10-15 minutes) and costs around Rs 450 per person for a roundtrip ticket. The boat departs every 30 minutes between 9:30 a.m and 6 p.m, daily.
The boat ticket from Pointe Maurice also includes a welcome drink and a sun lounger on Ile aux Cerfs.
Although taking a public ferry to Ile aux Cerfs is a great option for budget travelers, you might not be able to visit GRSE Waterfall, which is usually included in the catamaran and speedboat tours.
You can try negotiating with the boat driver to take you there but you might need to pay extra.
Tip: Hotels like Shangri-La, Friday Attitude, Tropical Attitude, and Otentic Eco Tent Experience offer free boat taxis to Ile aux Cerfs.
Related post: 8 Amazing boat trips in Mauritius
Catamaran or Speedboat Tour
Another option for getting to Ile aux Cerfs is by booking a catamaran or speedboat tour.
I’ve done both and personally prefer the catamaran as it’s less bumpy. It’s more spacious and you can lie on the sun deck as you cruise across the ocean, plus there’s a toilet onboard.
Just keep in mind that the catamaran is slower than the speedboat, so you’ll be spending more time on the water and less time sightseeing.
The speedboat on the other hand is slightly more expensive but faster, meaning you’ll have more time for snorkeling and visiting the islands.
The main advantage of booking a tour of Ile aux Cerfs is that you won’t have to worry about logistics since boat transfers, food, drinks, and activities like snorkeling and a visit to GRSE Waterfall are included.
Some operators also provide hotel transfers to the jetty at an additional cost.
The only thing you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy a fun day out on the water!
An important thing to note is that boat tours to Ile aux Cerfs tend to book fast since it’s the most popular place to visit in Mauritius Island.
For this reason, I highly recommend booking at least a few days in advance to guarantee a spot.
Best Ile aux Cerfs Tours
All boat tours include a BBQ lunch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and a visit to GRSE waterfall while only a few also include breakfast and additional visits to other nearby islands like Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile au Phare, Ile aux Flamants, and Ile de la Passe.
The price of a catamaran cruise starts at USD 70 while the speedboat tour starts at USD 80.
Below I’ll walk you through some of the tours available so that you can decide which one suits you best.
Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise
The second time I went to Ile aux Cerfs I opted for a catamaran cruise since it wasn’t too expensive.
Depending on where your hotel is located, you can choose to depart from Trou D’Eau Douce (east) or Pointe Jerome (southeast).
Learn more about the tour departing from Trou D’Eau Douce
Learn more about the tour departing from Pointe Jerome
Overall it was a fun day. The atmosphere onboard was very lively and the crew members kept us all entertained with lots of food and drinks and live Sega performances.
We also snorkeled in the crystal-clear waters and saw a bunch of fish. If you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins. I didn’t see any, unfortunately, but there’s always next time!
We then stopped at Ilot Mangenie for lunch, which is another small island located next to Ile aux Cerfs.
Lunch included BBQ chicken, fish, and veggies. For dessert, we had grilled bananas and pineapples. Note that depending on which company you book with, lunch may be served onboard the catamaran.
We then had some free time to explore Ile aux Cerfs. If you’d like you can book additional activities like parasailing, tube ride, etc on the island itself.
Our final stop was GRSE Waterfall. Depending on the tide level, you might need to transfer to a smaller boat to reach the waterfall. We saw several monkeys there and people cliff-jumping.
What’s included in the catamaran cruise:
- Light breakfast (for the tour departing from Pointe Jerome only)
- BBQ lunch and drinks with vegetarian options available on request
- Snorkeling equipment (for the tour departing from Trou D’Eau Douce only)
- Option to add hotel transfer at an extra cost
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CATAMARAN CRUISE
5 Islands Speedboat Tour
If you want to visit other islands in addition to Ile aux Cerfs, then I recommend the 5 Islands tour by speedboat.
I did this tour a few years ago and really enjoyed it as it felt less touristy. There were only about 8 people on the boat so the tour felt more intimate.
During the 5 Island tour, you’ll visit Ile au Phare, also known as Lighthouse Island (be sure to check out the small blowhole behind the lighthouse!), Ile de la Passe where the French and British fought during the battle of Grand Port in 1810, and of course Ile aux Cerfs.
You’ll also stop at GRSE waterfall, Ile aux Flamants, and Ile aux Aigrettes for swimming and snorkeling. The water here is super clear and filled with so many fish.
Lunch will be served on Ile aux Cerfs and you’ll have some free time to swim and snorkel around the island.
Tip: If you prefer something slightly different, there’s also this speedboat tour that includes snorkeling at D’Albair shipwreck.
What’s included in the 5 islands speedboat tour:
- BBQ lunch and drinks
- Snorkeling equipment
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A 5 ISLANDS SPEEDBOAT TOUR
Private Catamaran Cruise
Whether you’re looking for a romantic cruise or prefer a tour for just you and your group (up to 15 people), I recommend this private catamaran cruise that departs from Pointe Jerome.
If you don’t mind splurging, it’s definitely the best way to escape the crowds. Snorkeling and a visit to GRSE waterfall are also included in the tour rate.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PRIVATE CATAMARAN CRUISE!
Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs on a Pirate Boat
If you’re wondering what it’s like to sail on a pirate boat replica, then this is the tour for you.
Enjoy unlimited drinks and live music on board, snorkel in the lagoon, visit GRSE waterfall, and explore Ile aux Cerfs at your own pace.
What’s included:
- BBQ lunch and drinks
- Live Sega music
- Hotel transfers (additional fee)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PIRATE BOAT CRUISE
Here’s a summary of the Ile aux Cerfs boat trips mentioned above:
| Tour | Rating | Price | More info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catamaran Cruise from Trou D’Eau Douce (East) | 4.6/5 | From $70 per person | BOOK HERE |
| Catamaran Cruise from Pointe Jerome (Southeast) | 4.7/5 | From $75 per person | BOOK HERE |
| 5 Islands Tour by Speedboat | 4.8/5 | From $80 per person | BOOK HERE |
| Speedboat Tour incl. snorkeling at D’Albair Shipwreck | 4.9/5 | From $130 per person | BOOK HERE |
| Private Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs | 5/5 | From $1,200 per group | BOOK HERE |
| Sirene d’Or Pirate Boat Cruise | 4.7/5 | From $61 per person | BOOK HERE |
Related post: Best excursions to take in Mauritius
Things to do on Ile aux Cerfs
Explore the beaches
One of the best things to do in Ile aux Cerfs is to enjoy the beaches. Just a few steps from the jetty, you’ll find a stunning sandbar surrounded by shallow crystal-clear water. You can also rent sun loungers here.
If you’re hungry, you can buy food and drinks at the Sand Grill restaurant but be aware that prices are steep.
Since this is the most picturesque part of Ile aux Cerfs, it can feel a bit crowded, especially on weekends.
If you prefer a beach with fewer people, head to this beach instead or walk to Ilot Mangenie which also has some nice beaches.
Water Activities
As mentioned above, Ile aux Cerfs is famous for its range of watersport activities such as parasailing, water skiing, undersea walk, and tube ride. Those can be booked directly on the island.
Play Golf
Ile aux Cerfs features an award-winning 19-hole golf course covering around 38 hectares of the island. For more info and fees, you can refer to the official website here.
GRSE Waterfall
If you’ve booked a catamaran or speedboat tour of Ile aux Cerfs, you’ll also make a stop at GRSE Waterfall for photos.
Related post: 18 amazing waterfalls to visit in Mauritius
Where to stay?
Bubble Lodge Ile aux Cerfs is the only accommodation available on the island. Offering a unique and luxurious experience, each lodge features a double bed, sofa bed and a private bathroom. If you’re spending your honeymoon in Mauritius, it’s definitely one of the most romantic places to stay.
Included in the room rate are breakfast and dinner, complimentary boat transfers to Ile aux Cerfs and a 1-hour golf lesson. Each lodge can accommodate up to two adults and two children.
Alternatively, if you prefer to stay on the mainland, I recommend staying in Trou D’Eau Douce, Blue Bay or Pointe D’Esny so you can be close to the jetty.
For hotels in Trou D’Eau Douce, I recommend La Koquillishe, Tropical Attitude, and Friday Attitude.
For hotels in Blue Bay and Pointe D’Esny, I recommend Talamba Blue, Preskil Island Resort, and Explora Prestige.
Another great place to stay is Otentic Eco Tent Experience. This unique accommodation is located in the village of Deux Freres along GRSE River and features 12 safari tents elevated on wooden stilts.
They provide free boat shuttles to Ile aux Cerfs as well as free non-motorized watersport activities. You can find more details in my review of Otentic Eco Tent Experience here.
I hope you found this guide to visiting Ile aux Cerfs helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below.
Read more about Mauritius:
- 44 amazing places to visit in Mauritius
- 10 Amazing beaches for swimming in Mauritius
- 29 epic beaches in Mauritius
- 12 best guided tours in Mauritius
- Most beautiful places to visit in East Mauritius
- How to travel Mauritius on a budget + useful tips
- When to visit Mauritius Island?
- Ultimate guide to North Mauritius: 11 places to visit
- Ultimate guide to South Mauritius: 21 places to visit
1 comment
We always do the speedboat trip to Ile aux Cerfs when we are in Mauritius, we love it!