Cerf Island lies nestled in the St Anne Marine National Park, just 4 kilometres from the largest island in the Seychelles, Mahe; a distance that equates to a 10min commute by boat. It is approximately 1.5km long, 1km wide, and 108m high at its highest point.

The island, like Mahe, is granitic and has lush vegetation and wildlife that inter alia includes giant tortoises, flying foxes, and the fruit bat.

There are no paved roads on the island, and it is accessed only by boat or helicopter.

On Cerf, there is a diving centre, restaurants with excellent Creole and international cuisine, bars, and several beautiful beaches. The St Anne Marine National Park, surrounding Cerf Island, is a sanctuary for marine life including reef fish, turtles, rays, octopus, starfish, sea urchins, and squid to name a few. The Park, founded in 1973 to protect wildlife, encompasses 5 habitable islands; Cerf, Long, Round, Moyenne, and St Anne.

Snorkelling along the coral reefs and glass-bottom boat excursions are popular activities in the Park. And you will also find sandy beaches which are easily accessible from the villas, just 100 meters away at low tide.

HISTORY OF CERF

Cerf was named after Le Cerf, a French frigate ship which made port at Victoria on 1 November 1756. Captain Corneille Nicholas Morphey claimed the island by laying a Stone of Possession on Mahe, which now resides in the National Museum in Victoria. Well known residents of Cerf Island have been the internationally celebrated author Wilbur Smith, treasure hunter, adventurer, and writer William 'Bill' Travis, and yacht designer Phil Southwell. The UK authors and artists Ralph Lazar and Lisa Swerling, the creators of Harold's Planet, resided here for creative sabbatical.