Amirantes Group

The Amirante Islands (Ilhas do Almirantes) were discovered in 1503 by Vasco da Gama on his second exploration voyage. The islands were later renamed “Les Amirantes” (Admiral Islands) and were claimed for France in 1802. In 1814, the islands were passed on to the British as part of Mauritius and eventually, in 1909 the Seychelles became a separate colony which included, of course, the Amirante Islands. One of the Amirante Islands, Desroches (also known as Île Desroches), was split from the Seychelles by the United Kingdom in 1965 but was returned in 1976 when the Seychelles attained independence.

The African Banks can be found 230 km west of Mahé and forms part of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles. The shrub-lined sandy African Banks are the northernmost islands of the Amirante. First discovered in 1797, the islands were named Îlots Africains by Admiral Willaumez, commander of La Régénérée. The African Banks consist of 2 small islands which lie on the edge of the Amirante Bank, North Island and South Island. The islands hold important breeding grounds for both seabirds and turtles.

Rémire Island (also known as Eagle Island) is found 245 km south-west of Mahé and is only 0.27 square kilometres in size. The island was named after an English ship which visited in 1771, captained by Chevalier de la Billière. The island is the northernmost inhabited island of the Amirante, and was once used for guano production and to grow coconuts and vegetables. Today, the island hosts a small guest house and a 457 m runway. Fairy Terns and Lesser Noddies are often spotted on the island.

Étoile and Boudeuse Cays can be found roughly 330 km south of Mahé. Boudeuse is the farthest south-western feature on the Amirante Bank and the westernmost island of the group. Both are uninhabited and were named after ships used in Bougainville’s famous voyage by Chevalier du Roslan in 1771. The sandy islands hold grass and low shrubs, giving way to sandy beaches. The islets are established as Important Birding Areas as they are part of only 3 breeding sites of Roseate Terns in the Seychelles.