Trou d'Eau Douce is a small fishing village on Mauritius's east coast, roughly 40km south-east of Port Louis and 10km south of Belle Mare. It is best known for one thing: it is the departure point for Île aux Cerfs, the sandbar island that draws more day-trippers than anywhere else in Mauritius. But the village and its surroundings — particularly the Anahita Estate just inland — offer a more compelling reason to stay than a day trip implies. Three distinct hotels, a championship golf course, and a calm lagoon protected by an unbroken reef make this one of the best-value corners of the east coast for travellers who want seclusion over convenience.
This guide covers the hotels, the island, the activities, and how this area compares to the more popular Belle Mare to the north.
The Hotels Near Trou d'Eau Douce
Three properties dominate this area. They sit within a 5km radius, all on or adjacent to the Anahita lagoon, and share access to the same Ernie Els-designed golf course.
The highest-scoring hotel on the Mauritian east coast. The Four Seasons Anahita occupies a private peninsula on the lagoon, with villas that have their own pools and direct water access. The Ernie Els golf course runs through the estate. The spa, restaurants, and service standard consistently score at the top of our independent assessment across all six traveller personas — particularly for honeymoon, luxury, and wellness travel.
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The most balanced option in the Anahita area — strong scores across all dimensions at roughly half the price of the Four Seasons. The resort has direct lagoon frontage, a full spa, and is the only other hotel on the estate with full access to the 18-hole Ernie Els course. A strong choice for golfers who want a top-tier course without Four Seasons pricing, and for couples or families who want a quieter, less densely-booked property.
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The only accommodation on Île aux Cerfs itself — transparent bubble-dome glamping cabins set within a private garden on the island. Guests wake up inside a lagoon island, with no day-trippers visible by night. It is an entirely different experience from the resort hotels on the mainland: more intimate, more unusual, and best suited to couples who want a genuinely distinctive stay. The island's public beach and golf club are walking distance.
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Île aux Cerfs: What to Expect
Île aux Cerfs is a 87-hectare sandbar island sitting inside a protected lagoon, accessible by a 5-minute boat transfer from the Trou d'Eau Douce jetty. It is the most visited island in Mauritius and draws large numbers of day-trippers from across the island — catamaran tours departing from Grand Baie, Port Louis, and Flic en Flac typically include it as a main stop.
The island is owned by the Constance Hotels group, which operates the Île aux Cerfs Golf Club — an 18-hole course designed by Bernhard Langer, with some holes playing directly over water. Non-golfers can use the public beach on the eastern side of the island, which has calm, shallow water ideal for swimming. Water sports operators on the island offer parasailing, jet ski hire, and glass-bottom boat trips. There is a beach bar and restaurant on the public beach side.
The key practical point for hotel guests: staying at the Four Seasons Anahita, Anahita Golf & Spa Resort, or the Bubble Lodge puts you 5 minutes from the Trou d'Eau Douce jetty, making it trivial to visit the island independently at any time, without joining a group tour.
Golf: The Anahita Estate Course
Mauritius has eight golf courses; the one on the Anahita Estate is consistently ranked among the top three. Designed by Ernie Els and opened in 2009, it is an 18-hole championship course running along the lagoon and through the estate's tropical gardens. The course hosts the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on the European Tour rotation.
Guest access: Four Seasons Anahita guests have preferential tee time access. Anahita Golf & Spa Resort guests have equivalent access as part of the estate. The Île aux Cerfs Golf Club (Bernhard Langer course) on the island is accessible to all visitors.
For more on activities across the island, see our things to do in Mauritius guide.
The Lagoon & Water Conditions
The east coast lagoon between Trou d'Eau Douce and Île aux Cerfs is protected by a continuous reef, giving it some of the calmest swimming conditions on the island. Water visibility is consistently high and the lagoon is shallow enough in places to wade. Snorkelling is rewarding — the reef edge just outside the lagoon supports dense coral and fish populations.
Kite surfing is possible in this area (south-easterly trade winds blow reliably May–November) but the primary kitesurfing beaches are at Le Morne on the south-west coast. The Trou d'Eau Douce lagoon is better suited to calmer water activities — kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling — than to wind sports.
Trou d'Eau Douce vs Belle Mare: Which East Coast Area?
| Factor | Trou d'Eau Douce | Belle Mare |
|---|---|---|
| Beach | Lagoon access via island; no long public beach on mainland | 8km continuous white sand beach |
| Island access | 5 min to Île aux Cerfs jetty | 30–40 min drive to jetty |
| Golf | Anahita Estate (Ernie Els) + Île aux Cerfs (Langer) | Anahita accessible but requires drive |
| Hotel density | 3 properties, more spacious estates | Higher concentration, more options |
| Crowd level | Very low; village feel | Moderate; popular resort strip |
| Best for | Golf, Île aux Cerfs, seclusion, honeymoon | Beach, families, more hotel choice |
| Top hotel score | 9.1/10 (Four Seasons Anahita) | 8.9/10 (Constance Belle Mare Plage) |
Best Time to Visit
The east coast enjoys the same climate as the rest of Mauritius, with a warm dry season from May to November and a warmer, wetter season from December to April. The trade winds blow most consistently from June to September, which is the peak of the dry season and the most popular time for international visitors.
For golf, the cooler dry-season months (June–August) are ideal. For Île aux Cerfs day trips, the lagoon is calmer and clearer in the dry season. The wet season brings occasional cyclone risk and higher humidity, but hotel rates are significantly lower and the island is far less crowded. For a detailed breakdown, see our best time to visit Mauritius guide.
Getting There
Trou d'Eau Douce is approximately 50km from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) — around 60–75 minutes by road. The Four Seasons and Anahita Golf & Spa Resort both offer airport transfer services. Taxis from the airport are available and typically cost MUR 1,500–2,000 (approximately $35–45 USD) for the east coast journey. There is no direct public bus route; the nearest bus stop is in Trou d'Eau Douce village.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hotels are closest to Île aux Cerfs in Mauritius?
The closest hotels to Île aux Cerfs are in the Trou d'Eau Douce area on Mauritius's east coast. Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita (9.1/10) and Anahita Golf & Spa Resort (8.7/10) are both within 5km of the Trou d'Eau Douce jetty, which is the main departure point for boat transfers to Île aux Cerfs. Bubble Lodge Île aux Cerfs is situated directly on the island itself.
How do you get to Île aux Cerfs from Trou d'Eau Douce?
Île aux Cerfs is reached by a short boat transfer from the Trou d'Eau Douce jetty on the east coast. The crossing takes approximately 5 minutes. Most hotels in the area arrange transfers directly; alternatively, public boats run from the jetty throughout the day. Catamaran day trips departing from Grand Baie also stop at Île aux Cerfs.
Is the Four Seasons Anahita worth the price?
The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita scores 9.1/10 in our independent assessment — the highest of any hotel on the east coast. At around $1,650 per night, it targets the top end of the Mauritius luxury market. Its private beach on a lagoon peninsula, world-class spa, and Ernie Els-designed golf course justify the premium for guests who prioritise these facilities. For the same area at a lower price point, Anahita Golf & Spa Resort (8.7/10, ~$780/night) offers access to the same golf course.
What is Trou d'Eau Douce known for?
Trou d'Eau Douce is a small fishing village on Mauritius's east coast, best known as the departure point for Île aux Cerfs. The surrounding lagoon is calm and protected by a reef, making it ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The Anahita Estate, home to Four Seasons and Anahita Golf & Spa Resort, is the area's main accommodation hub and hosts an Ernie Els-designed championship golf course.
Can you stay on Île aux Cerfs itself?
Yes. Bubble Lodge Île aux Cerfs (8.4/10, ~$750/night) is a unique glamping property located directly on the island, offering transparent bubble-dome accommodations with views of the lagoon and night sky. It is the only accommodation on Île aux Cerfs and books out well in advance. Day-trippers have access to the island's public beach areas free of charge.
How does Trou d'Eau Douce compare to Belle Mare?
Both are on the east coast, roughly 10km apart. Belle Mare has a longer public beach (8km) and a higher concentration of resort hotels. Trou d'Eau Douce is quieter, more village-like, and is the only departure point for Île aux Cerfs. If your priority is beach walking and multiple hotel options, Belle Mare has the edge; if golf, Île aux Cerfs access, and seclusion matter more, Trou d'Eau Douce wins.
Related guides: Belle Mare · East coast vs west coast · Best beaches in Mauritius · Things to do · Honeymoon guide · Best time to visit