Mamelles Island Seabird Colony

Mamelles Island is an uninhabited granitic island located approximately 14 kilometers northeast of Mahé in the Indian Ocean. The island's name is derived from the French word for "breasts," referring to the characteristic silhouette formed by its two prominent hills. On the higher of the two peaks sits a lighthouse, constructed in 1911, which still serves as a crucial navigational aid for maritime traffic heading towards Victoria. The island is an important conservation area for seabirds, particularly the sooty tern, which nests here in large colonies. Due to its steep cliffs and challenging landing conditions, the island has remained largely undisturbed, providing a good habitat for reptiles such as skinks. In the waters surrounding Mamelles, divers find a rich marine flora and fauna, with whale shark sightings being common during the season. The vegetation on the island is quite sparse due to the thin soil layer and exposed location, consisting mainly of grasses and low-lying shrubs.

History & landmarks

Denis Island Lighthouse

A historic lighthouse dating back to 1910, serving as a guide for ships at the northern edge of the Seychelles Bank.

More places

Beacon Island (Île Sèche)

A small, rocky island east of Mahé that serves as an important nesting and resting site for various seabird species.

Cousin Island

An important nature reserve and a sanctuary for endangered bird species and nesting sea turtles.

Île aux Vaches Marines Habitat

An important bird and marine habitat west of Mahé, named after the dugongs (sea cows) that used to frequent these waters.

Aride Island

The northernmost of the granitic islands and home to one of the most important seabird colonies in the Indian Ocean.

🗺️

Recif Island Bird Sanctuary

A small granitic island hosting a significant colony of sooty terns and other tropical seabirds.

North Island

A private island known for its ambitious ecological restoration project called 'Noah's Ark'.

Silhouette Island

The third largest island in the Seychelles, almost entirely protected as a national park and known for its mountainous, jungle-like lands…

Silhouette Cinnamon Forest

Extensive forests on Silhouette Island where wild cinnamon grows, a relic from the era of cinnamon production.