Walk around Île aux Cerfs

Most visitors to Île aux Cerfs stay on the beach where the boats land. Walk along the shore instead: within 15–20 minutes the crowds thin out, and you find quieter beaches, sandbanks and the clearest water of the lagoon, with the reef beyond.

About 3 km each way along the lagoon side. Check the time of your boat back before setting off.

• Away from the crowds
• Sandbanks and clear water
• Part of an Île aux Cerfs day

Trail map

Indicative line along the island's lagoon shore.

Trail traced on OpenStreetMap paths: check the signs on the ground, and take the OSM or an offline map app (Organic Maps, maps.me) with you.

What to expect on this walk

📍 Where it starts

The landing beach on Île aux Cerfs (boat from Trou d'Eau Douce).

🧭 The route

Along the lagoon shore away from the landing beach to the quieter beaches and sandbanks (≈ 3 km). Back the same way.

🪨 Terrain

Sand.

👁️ Views

The lagoon, the reef and the east coast.

🌅 Best light

Late morning, when the lagoon is at its most turquoise.

🚧 Obstacles

• The golf course: keep to the beach

🌊 Tide

Fine at any tide.

🏊 Swimming

Clear lagoon all along.

👟 Footwear

Barefoot or flip-flops on soft sand all the way.

🔁 Getting back

Same way back to the landing beach (check the time of your boat).

🦟 Insects

None.

💧 Water

Restaurants and bars at the landing beach.

👥 Crowds

Busy near the landing beach, quiet further on.

📶 Phone signal

Good coverage.

🎒 Bring

Hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen · 1–1.5 litres of water each · Sandals or water shoes (some rocky bits) · Swimsuit and a towel · Cash for a drink or a taxi back

Getting there

Tips

• 💡 Note the time of your boat back.
• 💡 Parts of the island belong to the golf course: keep to the beach.