Travelogue Isle aux Cerf, Mauritius

One of our absolute highlights is the place "Isle aux Cerf" at the time of our visit still "Le Touessrok" on Maruritius. The place is located on the small offshore island of the same name Ile aux Cerf and is accessible by boat.

The flight

For us it went from Frankfurt with Emirates via Dubai to Mauritius. The flight time is two times 6 hours and is connected with a 3 to 4 hour stopover at the airport in Dubai. The total travel time for us from front door to hotel was pretty much 24 hours. Alternatively, there is a direct flight with Condor from Frankfurt to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, flight time about 10 hours. This saves in the end already 5 to 6 hours and the risk of lost luggage is lower. With us, two of four golf bags arrived only after 2 days in the hotel.

Travel time and hotel

The ideal time to travel to Mauritius is during the dry season from May to November. On the other hand, in the rainy season from December to April, precipitation is to be expected more often. Just in the months of January to March, it can also sometimes come to tropical storms.
We stayed at the Ambre Sun Resort in Belle Mare. A very nice 4 star hotel located directly on a beautiful, long sandy beach. The hotel offers all inclusive holidays including golf on the course Isle au Cerf. The reservation of the tee time and the transfer by taxi and boat to the golf course are included.

The taxi takes us from the hotel to the jetty in Trou d'Eau Durce, about 10 km away. There we are picked up by a taxi boat and brought with our golf luggage on a short crossing of about 15 minutes to the pier in the mangroves of the Ile aux Cerf. Upon arrival, a large golf cart already awaits us and takes us to the fantastically beautiful clubhouse.

The Golf Club

After registration we go to the driving range. The carts, highly recommended in the high humidity, are equipped with GPS and are prepared during our warm-up training. Unfortunately, the carts are not included in the all in and with about 50 € per round also not exactly a bargain.

The fantastically beautiful course, designed by Bernhard Langer, is a Par 72 with 6476 m length. The maintenance of the course is sensational and the views breathtaking. Visually it is one of the most beautiful courses we have ever played. Due to its narrowness and the partly very small landing zones, it is not easy to play but interesting and varied. On the 2nd round it goes better. Nevertheless, there should always be plenty of balls in the bag.

Off we go to the first tee. At the tee of one we get some information and tips from the marshal. In addition, drinks, fruit and pastries are available for refreshment.

The individual holes:

Hole 1: Lava Rock Par 4 / 389 meters
A good tee shot goes over a large pond and a volcanic lava rock wall.

Hole 2: Wee View Par 4 / 329 meters
There is a good birdie chance here with a straight tee shot and an accurate second shot to a small and undulating green that is above fairway level.

Hole 3: Wet and Volcanic Par 3 / 166 meters
The usually present tailwind makes this hole a little shorter than it is.

Hole 4: Split Decision Par 5 / 518 meters
A good tee shot followed by a straight second shot will get you close to the green on the fairway. It remains a short approach to the green.

Hole 5: Tidal Pool Par 4 / 357 meters
After a tee shot to the right side of the fairway, the second shot here is key to a good score as the green is guarded by one of the most beautiful tide pools on Ile aux Cerfs.

Hole 6: Beach Par 5 / 601 meters
The long six hole runs the entire length along the spectacular beach. On the weekends, locals like to come to the island to barbecue on the beautiful beaches. The one or other golfer may feel disturbed by the barbecue smells and the background noise with music - We found it great and invigorating.

Hole 7: Mangrove Par 4 / 395 meters
This dogleg requires a precise tee shot to achieve an ideal position for the approach shot. The water pushes in and out of the playing area due to the tides on the fairway and near the green.

Hole 8: Mangrove Walk Par 3 / 130 meters
This small par 3 offers a short and exciting tee shot. The elevated green sits high above a beautiful tidal pool surrounded by mangrove trees and volcanic lava rocks.

Hole 9: Welcome Home Par 5 / 514 meters
The dogleg right is played over a large pond. After a good drive, there are two options: play left to avoid the water and then use the 3rd shot to reach the green or play a second long shot over the pond to the large green.

Hole 10: Banya Par 4 /374 meters
The beginning of the back 9 again requires a good tee shot to land safely on this dogleg from right to left. It remains a good approach shot, with as much backspin as possible onto the sloping green.

Hole 11: Round the Bend Par 5 / 565 meters
The long eleventh hole plays towards the sea with views of the mountains on the mainland. It takes a confident tee shot to this right-angled dogleg. Then a comfortable second shot to a large fairway. The third shot then hits the big green directly.

Hole 12: Cat and Mouse Par 4 / 418 meters
With the dogleg left sloping down to the beach and surrounded by sand, the view of Cat and Mouse mountain on the second shot is unforgettable. From the greens of holes 12 and 13, you can also see the Anahita Golf Resort across the street on the "mainland".

Hole 13: Rock Ledge Par 3 / 172 meters
The tee is close to the beach and the wind usually comes from the right. The green is hidden between rocky outcrops on the left and right and just above a tidal pool.

Hole 14: Be Right Par 4 / 308 meters
The truly courageous player can approach this par 4 green from the tee. A smarter play would be a lay-up to a level fairway lie. This leaves a 60 to 80 yard shot to a long, narrow green.

Hole 15: Razorback Par 3 / 167 meters
A narrow par 3 over a ridge with prevailing wind from the left. A large green can be played directly to.

Hole 16: Reach Me if You Can Par 4 / 337 meters
The various tees stretch along a ridge, which changes the angle of play from tee to tee. From a carry over mangroves and the sharp dogleg to a straight tee shot.

Hole 17: Tree-tops Par 4 / 346 meters
The challenging tee shot leads through a mangrove bay. A good drive leaves a short approach shot to a large green. From here there is a fantastic panoramic view of the Indian Ocean.

Hole 18: Back to the Boat Par 4 / 355 meters
The tee shot should be left past the mangroves. Then a short approach to a spectacular, large green could allow for a final birdie.
After the round, you can take a shower in the very prestigious clubrooms, have a relaxing beer on the terrace or visit the golf club's private beach. If desired, clubs can be cleaned in the meantime before returning to the hotel by boat and taxi.