Poivre
about the ATOLL
Overview
Poivre Atoll is situated 270 kilometers southwest of Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles. This picturesque atoll consists of three islands: Poivre Island, covering 111 hectares; Ile du Sud, spanning 137 hectares; and the smaller Florentin, which is 7.4 hectares in size.
A notable feature of Poivre Atoll is the 750-meter causeway that connects Poivre Island to Ile du Sud. This causeway crosses the reef flats and becomes fully visible at low tide, allowing for easy passage between the two islands. The atoll encompasses a vast 1,467 hectares of reef flats but is unique in that it does not have a central lagoon, distinguishing it from many other atolls in the region.
Historically, Poivre Atoll was named by Chevalier de la Biolière in honor of Pierre Poivre, who was the intendant of Ile de France (now Mauritius) and Bourbon (now Réunion). Pierre Poivre is well-remembered for his significant contributions to the region during his tenure.
These islands, with their rich history and unique geographical features, play a vital role in the biodiversity and ecological significance of the Seychelles.
A notable feature of Poivre Atoll is the 750-meter causeway that connects Poivre Island to Ile du Sud. This causeway crosses the reef flats and becomes fully visible at low tide, allowing for easy passage between the two islands. The atoll encompasses a vast 1,467 hectares of reef flats but is unique in that it does not have a central lagoon, distinguishing it from many other atolls in the region.
Historically, Poivre Atoll was named by Chevalier de la Biolière in honor of Pierre Poivre, who was the intendant of Ile de France (now Mauritius) and Bourbon (now Réunion). Pierre Poivre is well-remembered for his significant contributions to the region during his tenure.
These islands, with their rich history and unique geographical features, play a vital role in the biodiversity and ecological significance of the Seychelles.
island background
History
The island once had a mysterious and possibly prestigious resident. Louis Poiret probably arrived in Seychelles around 1804 and was sent almost immediately to Poivre.
During his time in Seychelles, he took two mistresses by whom he had nine children. All his sons were named Louis and his daughters Marie. He died on Mahé in 1856, aged 70 years. He claimed to be the young son of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, (who both died on the guillotine during the French Revolution), smuggled out of the Temple prison by devoted royalists and sent into hiding in remote Seychelles.
At one time vanilla was an important crop. In 1944 when the merchants Hadee Brothers of Mahé owned the island, a visiting magistrate reported the coconut plantation was healthy and yielded an average of 120,000-130,000 nuts per month and maize “of a splendid quality”. There were 108 people living there, including the administrator (manager), his wife, an assistant administrator, 20 children and 12 “boy” labourers living in 38 huts. An airstrip has been built. There is huge potential to develop fly-fishing at Poivre due to large numbers of Permit fish, said to be unrivalled in Seychelles.
At one time vanilla was an important crop. In 1944 when the merchants Hadee Brothers of Mahé owned the island, a visiting magistrate reported the coconut plantation was healthy and yielded an average of 120,000-130,000 nuts per month and maize “of a splendid quality”. There were 108 people living there, including the administrator (manager), his wife, an assistant administrator, 20 children and 12 “boy” labourers living in 38 huts. An airstrip has been built. There is huge potential to develop fly-fishing at Poivre due to large numbers of Permit fish, said to be unrivalled in Seychelles.
Preserving The ATOLL's Unique Biodiversity
Conservation
In 2016, Island Conservation Society initiated monitoring and conservation programmes on Poivre.
In 1892, the naturalist William Abbott collected a specimen of the endemic race of Madagascar Turtle Dove (race aldabrana, a misnomer).
This disappeared at an unknown date but in 2017, the grey-headed form of Madagascar Turtle Dove (race picturata) was recorded for the first time. Other land birds are introducedwhile lines of coconuts dominate the vegetation.
The reef flats attract migratory waders and resident herons (the island Florentin bears the Kreol name of the Grey Heron). The islands of the Poivre Atoll host significant numbers of nesting Hawksbills and some Green Turtles, while the waters provide foraging habitat for significant numbers of juvenile turtles.
Particularly high numbers of Mangrove Whipray and Sicklefin Lemon Shark have been recorded.
This disappeared at an unknown date but in 2017, the grey-headed form of Madagascar Turtle Dove (race picturata) was recorded for the first time. Other land birds are introducedwhile lines of coconuts dominate the vegetation.
The reef flats attract migratory waders and resident herons (the island Florentin bears the Kreol name of the Grey Heron). The islands of the Poivre Atoll host significant numbers of nesting Hawksbills and some Green Turtles, while the waters provide foraging habitat for significant numbers of juvenile turtles.
Particularly high numbers of Mangrove Whipray and Sicklefin Lemon Shark have been recorded.
Nature conservation meets visitor experience
Economic Activities
The Island Development Company (IDC) has undertaken a significant infrastructure project on the island by constructing an airstrip. This addition greatly enhances the island's accessibility, facilitating smooth and efficient travel to and from the island. With this improved connectivity, IDC is setting the stage for future developments.
Explore the Beauty of the Islands
Gallery
