Cerf Island

Cerf Island (1.27 km2) lies 4 km off the east coast of Mahé in the Seychelles. Cerf Island measures more than 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) long and almost 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) wide, it reaches a height of 108 metres (354 ft). The island lies in the Ste Anne Marine National Park and is surrounded by a coral reef. The geology is grantitic, with a maximum height above sea level of 357 feet (109 m). There are no paved roads or local infrastructure on the island; travel to-and-from the island is by boat. Due to Cerf Island’s location, in a National Marine Park, the waters around Cerf Island prove a spectacular sight. The deepest point of the Marine Park is 250 metres (820 ft) and the Park offers exceptional marine life, with more than 150 species of reef fish, crabs, sea urchins, starfish, octopus and many more. Cerf Island is home to the fruit bat and giant tortoises. On the north side of the island are superb coral reefs. Here giant tortoises swim with clown fish. There are no shops, roads or local infrastructure but water, telephone and electricity is provided from the mainland Mahe. Diving centres are plentiful on the main island and snorkelling equipment is available for hire on Cerf Island at the hotels. The island also has a small art gallery and a chapel.