Discover Cerf Island in the Seychelles

Hello again! This time, I’d like to introduce you to Cerf Island in the Seychelles, located very close to Mahé—just 4 km away, to be precise. This private island is part of the Sainte-Anne Marine National Park. If you are planning a trip to the Seychelles, you have probably already heard of it. As its name suggests, the park is a protected area with rich biodiversity and beautiful coral reefs. In other words, it is a paradise for diving and snorkeling! To tell you a little more about Cerf Island, it measures 2 km long and 1 km wide, so yes, it is not very big! On this little piece of paradise, you will discover beautiful white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and lush tropical vegetation. Along with its idyllic setting, the island also offers the chance to enjoy an exclusive stay away from the crowds. You are starting to know me—it is exactly the kind of lesser-visited island I love exploring!

As you can see, the aim of this article is to introduce you to this little corner of paradise in the Seychelles. Of course, I have based my opinions on the experiences of my friends and Aurélie, who absolutely loved their stay in the Seychelles archipelago.

The Seychelles has 115 islands, so why choose Cerf Island? As mentioned above, it is part of the Sainte-Anne Marine National Park, a nature reserve with exceptional biodiversity. It is the perfect opportunity to discover marine life—including clownfish, butterflyfish, dolphins, turtles and blacktip sharks—while diving or snorkeling. In my opinion, you will leave the island with your head full of unforgettable images. What’s more, Cerf Island is only a seven-minute boat ride from Mahé, so it would be a shame to miss it.

When it comes to activities, you can go hiking, cycling or simply relax on the island’s dream beaches, all in a peaceful and intimate setting. As you can see, despite its small size, Cerf Island offers plenty of things to do. Whether you are traveling with family or friends, there is something for everyone.

A word of advice: plan to spend a full day and one night on this beautiful island so that you can also enjoy a luxurious evening. In my opinion, this is the ideal length of stay if you want to slow down and make the most of this little piece of paradise.

These are quite simply the two must-do activities on Cerf Island. Even if you are a beginner, this is the perfect place to take the plunge. Do not worry: Cerf Island’s turquoise lagoon is only 4 meters deep. Simply put on your mask, snorkel and fins, stay close to the surface and discover colorful fish, starfish, coral and much more. Time will fly by. After every dive or snorkeling session, you are sure to come away having made some wonderful discoveries. It is a real feast for the eyes!

For more active travelers looking to make the most of Cerf Island’s crystal-clear waters, several water sports are available:

• Kayaking: an ideal way to explore the crystal-clear waters. A quick tip: to make sure you do not miss anything and to discover the best spots and mangroves, I recommend going out with a local kayak guide. In my opinion, having a guide is always a real advantage.
• Paddleboarding: a water sport that can still be wonderfully relaxing! It is a great opportunity to take your time and watch turtles and tropical fish swimming right beneath your feet. We used to go paddleboarding from time to time in Polynesia, on the Bora Bora lagoon, and it was fantastic. Since moving to Guadeloupe, we have discovered the mangroves—a different but equally magical experience!
• Kitesurfing: admittedly, the waters around Cerf Island are generally quite calm. However, there are still a few spots where the wind is strong enough for kitesurfing.

If you are staying on Cerf Island, I highly recommend taking a boat trip to discover the other islands in Sainte-Anne Marine National Park:

• Sainte-Anne Island: the largest island in the marine national park, famous for its beautiful sandy beaches and waters rich in marine life. The lagoon here is also deeper. If you venture a little farther out, the water reaches depths of between 10 and 15 meters, making it a great place to explore the seabed. A real treat for divers!
• Moyenne Island: this uninhabited island is home to a large number of free-roaming giant tortoises. It is a wonderful opportunity to see them wandering along the beach.
• Ronde Island: a beautiful island with white-sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see and an abundance of birdlife.
• Longue Island: along with its heavenly setting, this small strip of land is home to numerous historical remains from the Seychelles’ colonial past. A must for history lovers!
• Cachée Island: the smallest island in Sainte-Anne Marine National Park in the Seychelles. Located just 50 meters from Cerf Island, it is easy to reach for a snorkeling trip to explore the coral reefs. At low tide, you can even walk out onto the sandbanks!

In my opinion, a boat trip around the islands of Sainte-Anne Marine National Park is the perfect way to discover their biodiversity. Each island has something unique to offer. You can look forward to relaxing, swimming, diving, discovering local history, meeting giant tortoises and much more. For your information, there is no accommodation on Moyenne Island, Ronde Island, Longue Island or Cachée Island. One thing is certain: you will not forget this trip!

Let’s be honest: Cerf Island is a small island, so there are only three heavenly beaches to choose from:

• Anse Takamaka: this is the island’s main beach. The water is calm, turquoise and shallow, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. What’s more, the beach is rarely crowded, so you may have the chance to enjoy this postcard-perfect setting almost entirely to yourself, haha.
• Anse La Fontaine: a small white-sand beach on Cerf Island lined with palm trees, coconut palms and rocks. It is the perfect place to relax in complete peace.
• Cachée Island: as mentioned above, this is a small island just off Cerf Island, with a beautiful beach and a wealth of underwater life to discover.

As you can see, these three beaches place you in the heart of secluded scenery, far from the busier beaches. In my opinion, that is a real advantage.

Environmental protection rules are very strict on Cerf Island: local species and their habitats are protected, fishing is restricted and several other measures are in place. Thanks to all these efforts, you can observe a beautiful local ecosystem:

• Exotic birds such as parrots, bubuls and terns,
• Lizards and geckos, many of which hide among the tropical vegetation,
• Colorful tropical fish, turtles, coral and hermit crabs.

Depending on the activities you choose on the island, you will encounter many different local species. In other words, a vacation on Cerf Island places you right in the heart of nature and biodiversity.

Hikers will find several trails through the rainforest in the heart of the island. All of them are accessible and easy to follow. One thing to keep in mind is that, because Cerf Island is private, you may occasionally need to cross private property. Rest assured, the locals are very welcoming, and you can even stop to chat with them. They may also be able to recommend the best routes to follow. Another tip: if the weather is particularly hot, the northern part of the island is more wooded, so you will find more shade and peace there. Alternatively, you can follow the coastal path and admire Longue Island and Moyenne Island. Pretty, isn’t it?

As mentioned above, Cerf Island is very easy to reach by boat from Mahé. The crossing takes only five to seven minutes, so even if you are prone to seasickness, it should be manageable, haha. What’s more, most hotels offer a water taxi service. If you are staying on La Digue or Praslin, do not worry: you can also take a boat to Cerf Island, although the journey will simply be a little longer.

Here are several places to stay on Cerf Island that have received consistently positive feedback, ranging from mid-range to upscale:

• Cerf Island Resort: quite simply the best-known hotel on the island, and for good reason. This beautiful four-star property enjoys a unique location overlooking the Indian Ocean. When it comes to facilities, exclusivity and luxury are clearly the priorities. In short, it is the perfect place to combine tropical nature with a luxurious stay.
• L’Habitation Cerf Island: a charming three-star hotel with an excellent reputation on the island. Located directly on a private beach, it offers spacious rooms with panoramic sea views. And that is not all: guests can also enjoy an outdoor swimming pool and a good restaurant serving local dishes.
• South Point Villas Cerf Island: for a stay with family or friends, you can choose from spacious villas facing directly toward the ocean. You will also be surrounded by a heavenly setting and breathtaking scenery. The facilities are equally appealing, with a private pool, canoeing and kayaking equipment, and your own veranda. Everything is in place for a successful vacation!
• Fairy-Tern Chalets Cerf Island: Fairy-Tern offers well-equipped apartments with a sitting area and a terrace overlooking a tropical garden. You will also be right beside the sea. What more could you ask for?

I hope you find the right place among these four properties, all of which offer a good standard of service. To help you plan your trip to the Seychelles, I also recommend reading our guide to accommodation on Mahé.

As you might expect, there are very few restaurants on this small private island. The best known are those at the two hotels: Cerf Island Resort and L’Habitation Cerf Island.

• Restaurant 1756: a blend of Creole and French cuisine, making it ideal for discovering local flavors while still enjoying a few familiar touches. And let’s not forget the panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. A quick tip: book your table in advance so that you can enjoy a pleasant meal at the end of the day while watching the sunset.
• Zepis Restaurant: this restaurant combines local and international flavors to take your taste buds on a journey. Another bonus is the lively atmosphere and themed evenings.
• The main restaurant at L’Habitation Cerf Island: I have heard a lot of good things about this restaurant. The Creole food is said to be excellent, and every meal comes with sea views. It is definitely worth trying!

If you are curious, you can find all the information you need about the Seychelles, including its cuisine, spoken languages and more, here.

Given Cerf Island’s small size, you will not need to rent a car. Getting around the island is easy:

• On foot: this is a good option for anyone who wants to discover the island at their own pace. There is no need to rush—you are on vacation!
• By bike: a quicker way to explore every corner of the island. You can usually rent bicycles directly from your hotel.
• By golf cart: a convenient way to get around without too much effort, haha. Hotels on the island often offer this service.

That brings me to the end of this article about discovering Cerf Island in the Seychelles. I hope it has inspired you to visit this little corner of paradise, far from the hustle and bustle of the busiest tourist areas.

If you are currently planning your trip to the Seychelles, I invite you to read Aurélie’s articles about the best things to do on Praslin and La Digue. She was lucky enough to spend her honeymoon there.

If you have already visited this dream destination, feel free to share your experience in the comments. It is always interesting to hear from you!

See you soon for more discoveries,