Île aux Cerfs is the postcard image of Mauritius — an 87-hectare private island surrounded by a vast calm lagoon off the east coast, accessible only by boat and offering the kind of white sand, crystal water beach experience that defines the Mauritius tourism ideal. It is the most popular day-trip destination in the country and can be genuinely spectacular on clear days.

The island is owned by Constance Hotels and forms part of the Constance Le Prince Maurice hotel complex, but the beaches are open to day visitors through organised boat tours. The majority of the island's north side is one long beach facing the open lagoon — wide, sheltered, and with water that graduates from translucent turquoise in the shallows to deep blue in the channel. The sand is fine and white, the palm trees genuinely dense.

Day trips from Trou d'Eau Douce (5 minutes by boat) or from Mahébourg (45 minutes) arrive at the beach and typically include two to four hours on the island. Restaurants on the island serve seafood and Creole food at resort prices. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for hire. Jet skis, banana boats, parasailing, and snorkelling equipment are all available from operators on the beach, though pricing is at the higher end.

The island is busiest between 11am and 2pm when the main day trips arrive from the mainland. For a quieter experience, take the earliest available departure from Trou d'Eau Douce — the island before 10am is a completely different experience from the midday crowds. Île aux Cerfs is also the location of one of Mauritius's best golf courses, a Bernhard Langer-designed 18-hole layout with ocean views on every hole.