Tee off the golf season on a desert island paradise with Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club is the ultimate 18-hole golf course situated on its own private island just off the east coast of Mauritius. Designed by golfing legend Bernhard Langer, Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club spans across volcanic rocks, runs between lines of jungle, is surrounded by white sand beaches and turquoise water with views across the Indian Ocean.

The private island Ile Aux Cerfs, home to the world-famous Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club is part of Sunlife.

Sunlife is also made up of four luxury hotels in Mauritius: five-star Sugar Beach, five-star Long Beach, four-star La Pirogue, and four-star Ambre.

Golfing has a long tradition in Mauritius, with the first tournament played on the island in 1902.

Today, Mauritius is a haven for golf lovers from all over the world, with a mild climate providing ideal conditions for all levels of play all year round. Located on the east coast of Mauritius on its own island, Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club is backdropped by one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.

Even the journey to the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club is second to none. From the Mauritian coast, a boat takes you through the mangrove waters to the island, where guests are welcomed at the jetty and driven to the charming clubhouse.

An 18-hole, par-72 championship course designed by Bernhard Langer, the small greens and narrow, long fairways require a tactical game and players are rewarded with unique views of the azure blue Indian Ocean. The final fairway even offers two optional greens. Golfers have the choice between the older, slightly more challenging Bernhard Langer green across a ravine, or the slightly easier new green with impressive views of the Indian Ocean.

The paradise island of Ile Aux Cerfs is a tranquil five-minute boat ride from the mainland and is available for every guest staying at any of the Sunlife resorts (Long Island, Sugar Beach, Ambre and La Pirogue) on an unlimited, complimentary basis. The clubhouse is perched on the islands highest point, overlooking the 19th hole with impeccable service and sweeping views of the ocean.

Based on the new slope ratings by the French Golf Federation, Ile Aux Cerfs is rated one of the most playable golf courses in Mauritius and has been recently preened and perfected to ensure players of all abilities can enjoy its greens. For beginners or those wanting to finesse their game the Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Academy has five practice greens, putting and chipping greens along with a state-of-the-art tuition studio.

The island of Ile Aux Cerfs may be small, but it certainly has it all and is the perfect place to spend time off the green. The white sand of Golfer’s Beach on the southeast of the island is easily accessed from the golf club – just a short golf buggy ride before being greeted with a welcome cocktail, cool flannel and a sunbed on the white sands.

There are four restaurants on Ile aux Cerfs serving up Mauritian specialties and exceptional seafood.

Langer’s Bar & Grill is the clubhouse restaurant serving up local favourites, Sands Grill is the beachside spot for the freshest seafood and there’s Sands Bar, for pizzas washed down with delicious rum cocktails. La Flibuste is an exclusive beach, set adjacent to the golf course, the perfect place for a long, leisurely lunch.

Keen golfers and paradise seekers can spend the night under the stars on Ile Aux Cerfs, in a Bubble Lodge. The first and only accommodation on the island, staying in a Bubble Lodge means guests have the island to themselves from sunset to tee off time. Dotted in beautiful, remote spots across the island, the three eco-lodges each have a luxury bedroom, lounge, bathroom and outdoor heated shower. The lodges have been created to have a minimal impact on the environment, instead becoming part of their natural surrounds. 

They use minimal materials, require very little energy and all materials used are completely recyclable.

Sustainably minded hospitality plays a central role in the Sunlife philosophy. Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club is one of the most eco-friendly courses in Mauritius with multiple projects in place to reduce its carbon footprint - from using recycled water to irrigate the greens, planting Salem Seashore Paspalum grass (which is very salt-resistant) and thorough training of all staff to ensure the course is managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

Marc Amelot, Director of Ile aux Cerfs said: “Mauritius and Ile aux Cerfs is the ultimate golf destination. With incredible scenery, Mauritius is the ultimate place to play golf and there is none more iconic than tropical island Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club.

For more information about Sunlife, visit www.yoursunlife.com

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