Your hotel is in the west or north of Mauritius. Ile aux Cerfs is a small island off the opposite, eastern coast. Search results push packaged tours with lunch and a catamaran. You just want a day on the beach. Good news: how to get to Ile aux Cerfs without a tour is a simple question. The trip has two legs. A taxi to the village of Trou d’Eau Douce, then a boat across the lagoon. Below we cover both legs and the return connection, which tour listings usually skip.
In short:
- Ile aux Cerfs is an island in the lagoon off the east coast. The only way in is by water.
- Boats leave from the village of Trou d’Eau Douce. No tour package is needed. Taxi to the jetty, then a regular public boat.
- The south-west and west are the longest drives, the east coast the shortest. The table by area is below.
- Plan your departure around a morning boat. Return boats finish in the afternoon, and you want half a day there.
- Book the return car in the app once the boat drops you off. Set the pick-up point with a pin on the map.
What Ile aux Cerfs is and why people go
Ile aux Cerfs sits in the lagoon opposite Trou d’Eau Douce, on the east coast. It is known for white beaches and shallow turquoise water. There is no bridge, so the only way over is by boat.
People come for a beach day. Swimming, walks along the shore, water sports by the jetty, and a golf course inland. Outside visitors can play too, but only by booking with the club in advance.
Ile aux Cerfs is a classic day trip. It works from any resort area if you plan the journey right. Here is how to get to Ile aux Cerfs, step by step.
How to get to Ile aux Cerfs from your hotel
First, get to the Trou d’Eau Douce jetty. The easiest way is by taxi. Public boats to the island leave from this village. The whole land route comes down to one point on the east coast. In the DodoGo app, drop a pin on the jetty; no address needed. The app shows the full price before you confirm.
How long the drive takes depends on where you start:
| Where you start | Drive to the Trou d’Eau Douce jetty |
|---|---|
| North: Grand Baie, Pereybere | about 45 min to 1 h 15 min |
| West: Flic en Flac, Tamarin | about 1 h to 1 h 30 min |
| South-west: Le Morne, Bel Ombre | about 1 h 20 min to 1 h 45 min |
| East: Belle Mare, Poste Lafayette | about 10 to 25 minutes |
From the west and south the road crosses the whole island. Leave a margin for morning traffic near the plateau towns. The one rule: leave early enough to reach the jetty for the morning boats. For the booking itself, see our guide to taxi near me in Mauritius.
If you are staying on the east coast, the jetty is minutes away: we cover that shore and how to get to Belle Mare in a separate guide.
A group does not need to split into several cars. DodoGo has four vehicle classes, including a 6-seater and a 14-seater bus. A whole villa party can ride to the beach in one vehicle.
The boat from Trou d’Eau Douce to the island
Boats to Ile aux Cerfs leave from the Trou d’Eau Douce jetty from morning until midday. The first departures go around 8:30 to 9:00. Aim to be there by 9:00 or 10:00. The crossing from Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs takes 10 to 20 minutes. The boatman sells tickets at the jetty. No advance booking is needed. The boats run as a shuttle, a shared water taxi with no fixed timetable.
Each boatman sets his own fare, and boat prices quoted online vary widely. A practical rule matters more than any figure. Before boarding, ask two things: the return fare and the last boat time. Your return ticket usually works with the same boatman, so remember his boat or berth.
Besides the plain crossing, the jetty also offers longer trips. Those are mini tours with their own pricing. For a beach day, the regular boat is enough.
What to do on Ile aux Cerfs
The island is all about beaches and the lagoon. The main beach sits by the drop-off point, with sun loungers and water sports. On offer: parasailing, banana boat rides and a glass-bottom boat. The further you walk from the jetty, the emptier the sand.
You can explore part of the island on foot, along coastal paths. There is little shade, so sun cream and water are essential. For quiet, walk 15 to 20 minutes from the drop-off point. The same lagoon is there, without the crowd.
You can eat right on the island: beach restaurants such as Sands Grill and La Flibuste. The choice is small, so many people bring water and snacks. Some of the restaurants serve fresh sea urchins, a local delicacy.
How much time to allow and how to get back
Allow a full day: half a day on the island plus the drive both ways. The plan is simple. Taxi to the jetty in the morning, beach through the day. In the afternoon, the boat back and a car to the hotel.
The key point of the whole trip is the last boat back. The last boats usually leave the island around 15:30 to 16:00. Some boatmen run later, but there is no common timetable. Do not count on it. You asked the time when you boarded. Set a beach alarm an hour before it. Missing the boats is a poor adventure, because the island has no ordinary accommodation. The only option is three luxury Bubble Lodge units, booked up far in advance.
The journey back needs no advance arrangements. Once the boat drops you off, open DodoGo and book a car to the jetty. You already know the pick-up point. Watch the car approach on the map. There is even time for a coconut from the stall. The hardest part of the whole day trip is discipline: do not miss your boat.
Seasons, roads and island habits are covered in What to Know Before Travelling to Mauritius.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Ile aux Cerfs without a tour?
Yes. Public boats leave from the jetty at Trou d’Eau Douce from morning until midday. You buy the ticket on the spot. The easiest way to the jetty is a taxi. Drop a pin in the app and ride from your hotel door.
How long is the boat from Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs?
About 10 to 20 minutes. The boat crosses the lagoon to the beach at the drop-off point. It is a short hop, not a sea passage, and the lagoon stays almost flat.
What time is the last boat back from Ile aux Cerfs?
Usually around 15:30 to 16:00. Some boatmen run later, but there is no common timetable. Your boatman gives the exact time in the morning at Trou d’Eau Douce. Ask before you set off and come back early.
How do you get back to your hotel from Trou d’Eau Douce?
By taxi through the app. Step off the boat and drop the pick-up pin right at the jetty. You can watch the car approach on the map. Nothing needs booking ahead.
Do you need to book the Ile aux Cerfs boat in advance?
No. You buy a ticket from the boatman at the jetty. The only thing to track is the last boat back, around 15:30 to 16:00. Confirm the time when you board.
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Ile aux Cerfs is closer than it looks from your hotel window. Taxi to Trou d’Eau Douce, a quick hop across the lagoon, and you are there. Install DodoGo for Android or for iPhone. In the morning, drop a pin at the jetty and walk out to your car.
