Cerf Island sits in the Ste Anne Marine National Park, just a short boat ride off Mahe near Victoria. Unlike the remote private islands, it is easy and affordable to reach, with small guesthouses and restaurants and excellent snorkelling in the protected park. It is popular both as a relaxed place to stay close to the capital and as a stop on a marine-park day trip with lunch.
Cerf Island is the approachable one. While North, Fregate and Denis are remote and expensive, Cerf sits just off Mahe inside the Ste Anne Marine National Park, close enough to Victoria that you can be there in minutes. It gives you the feel of a small tropical island without the private-island price tag, which makes it a quiet favourite.
Where it is and getting there
Cerf lies in the Ste Anne Marine Park, a cluster of islands just off the east coast of Mahe near the capital. A short boat transfer of around fifteen to twenty minutes gets you there, and boats run for both day visitors and people staying on the island. This easy access is the island’s biggest practical advantage.
The marine park and snorkelling
The whole area is a protected marine national park, one of the oldest in the Indian Ocean, so the snorkelling is a genuine draw. Warm, shallow, sheltered water and protected reefs mean plenty of fish and easy conditions, which is why so many day trips from Mahe come out here with snorkelling and a barbecue lunch. Glass-bottom boat trips are common for those who would rather stay dry.
Where to stay
Cerf has a handful of small guesthouses, lodges and a couple of restaurants, rather than one big resort. That mix makes it one of the few islands of its kind where independent travellers can actually afford to stay a night or two close to nature and the water. It is low-key and quiet, especially once the day boats have gone home.
Day trips versus staying over
Many people experience Cerf as part of a Ste Anne Marine Park day trip, snorkelling at a few spots, visiting an island and having lunch. That is a great way to see it. Staying overnight is a different pleasure, as the island empties out in the evening and you get the marine park almost to yourself in the early morning.
What to do
Snorkel the park, swim, walk the short trails, eat fresh seafood and slow down. It is close enough to Mahe that you can combine it with city errands or an airport arrival, which makes it handy at the start or end of a trip.
Who it suits and how to plan
Cerf suits travellers who want an island and good snorkelling without the cost or remoteness of the private islands, and anyone short on time who still wants to set foot in the marine park. Browse verified stays in our directory, and look at the marine-park and boat-trip options to combine snorkelling, an island and lunch in one easy day.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Cerf Island?
By a short boat transfer of around fifteen to twenty minutes from Mahe near Victoria. Boats run for both day visitors and overnight guests, which makes it one of the easiest islands to reach in the Seychelles.
Is Cerf Island good for snorkelling?
Yes. It sits in the Ste Anne Marine National Park, one of the oldest in the Indian Ocean, with warm, shallow, sheltered water and protected reefs, so the snorkelling is easy and rich in fish.
Can you stay overnight on Cerf Island?
Yes. Cerf has a handful of small guesthouses, lodges and restaurants rather than one big resort, so independent travellers can stay a night or two. The island is especially quiet once the day boats leave.
Is Cerf Island worth visiting?
For easy island time and good snorkelling close to Mahe, yes. It gives the feel of a tropical island and a protected marine park without the cost or remoteness of the private islands, as a day trip or a short stay.
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