Mauritius - Chagos Archipelago

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The Chagos Archipelago, together with Desroches, Farquhar and Aldabra, formerly part of the Seychelles group, now constitute the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). They lie 1,930km northeast of Mauritius, south of Gan in the Maldives. Visits by individuals are difficult to arrange.

SIX ISLANDS This group of six low islands arranged in a horseshoe shape is 109km from Diego Garcia. When they were dependencies of Mauritius, they were harvested for coconuts as well as supplying pigs, poultry and fat-tailed land crabs. They are connected by shoals and access is difficult because of the reefs and breakers.

PEROS BANHOS A cluster of a score of small islands which form the largest group of the Chagos Archipelago, Peros Banhos forms a basin of 29km in length, north to south, and 19km in breadth from east to west. The main one, Ile du Coin, is about 3km long. They were also known as the Iles Bourdés after a M de Bourdé, who is credited with discovering them after the Portuguese had named them.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the islands were home to up to 500 people employed in the coconut plantations and fishing station. In 1970, the British Government removed the entire population to Mauritius. Part of Peros Banhos is now a nature reserve.

SALOMON ISLANDS Known as Les Onze Iles, being 11 in number, the Salomons were named after a ship called Salomon. They form a basin with a safe anchorage for vessels of small draught. Their soil is rich in coconut trees, which used to be harvested by resident Mauritians.

In the last century, these islands were noted for a rare tree called faux gaiac, which grew to a height of 40m, and was a deep chocolate colour, with sound wood when old. Fresh water could be obtained from wells. Turtles used to be found here but, owing to the presence of seals, not so many fish.

TROIS FRERES Actually four small islands, connected by shoals. Coconuts grow on all of them and fish, turtles and fresh water are all to be found. Nearby, between this group and Six Islands, are Eagle and Danger islands. All used to provide coconut oil for the Mauritius market.

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