Curieuse Island, Marine national park in Seychelles
Curieuse Island is a marine reserve in Seychelles featuring granite rock formations and reddish volcanic soil across its landscape, with its highest point reaching around 170 meters. The island contains mangrove forests, coral reefs, and varied terrain that together create diverse habitats for both sea and land creatures.
From 1829 to 1965, the island served as a leprosy hospital where patients received medical care in isolation. The doctor's residence built in 1873 was later converted into an educational center that now tells the story of this medical period.
The island shelters one of only two natural habitats in Seychelles where Coco de Mer palms grow wild, their massive fronds rising above the native forest. Walking through these groves shows visitors how this rare species has survived among other local plants.
Visitors can walk on a wooden boardwalk through the mangrove areas and explore different habitats, especially during high tides when the forest structure becomes fully visible. The morning is the best time to explore since the light is ideal and temperatures remain comfortable.
The mangrove forests shelter six different species adapted to salt water conditions, creating one of the few accessible examples of this ecosystem in the region. Exploring these habitats from the boardwalk offers a rare chance to watch animals and plants that thrive in this challenging environment.
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