Located 1 030km south-west of Mahé, Cosmoledo Atoll is situated a stone’s throw away from the world heritage site of Aldabra. Measuring 17 km from north to south, it is one of the largest atolls in the region. Menai and Wizard Islands occupy the eastern and western points of the atoll and South Island stands near the main entrance to the inner lagoon. The perimeter of the atoll is covered with vast sand flats dotted with over 20 islands, islets and cays of various shapes and sizes.
Cosmoledo Atoll is truly a nature lover’s paradise of incomprehensible proportions. Its outstanding seabird colonies and migratory waders led to its designation as an important bird area by Birdlife International. The atoll was named after a Portuguese navigator who was part of João da Nova’s crew, and the islands of Menai and Wizard were named after ships that explored the atoll during the Moreby Expedition in 1822
In 1878, Sergeant Rivers visited the atoll and reported that judging by the turtle remains on the beach, the atoll was frequently visited by fishermen and whalers. He reported that Menai Island was virtually covered with tall mangroves. Cosmoledo was settled shortly after this and a visitor in 1895 noted 200-300 coconut trees, maize and goats. By 1901 there were just two men on Menai, one on Wizard and four on North-east Island. Exploitation of guano on North-east Island was taking place in 1901, when 120 tons had been removed. A few years later, mangrove bark had become an important product; it was dried and exported for tannin. The atoll was inhabited as a fishing and turtling station until 1992 when it was abandoned.