Falaises d'Entrecasteaux

Falaises d'Entrecasteaux are limestone cliffs rising dramatically along the western shoreline of Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean. They form a prominent geological feature of this remote territory managed by France in the Indian Ocean.

French naval officer and explorer Antoine Bruni d'Entrecasteaux documented these cliffs in the late 18th century during his Pacific expedition. The cliffs were named after him, marking an important discovery from the era of European exploration in the southern oceans.

Research stations near the cliffs contribute to scientific understanding of marine ecosystems and bird populations in the southern Indian Ocean region.

Access to the cliffs is restricted and requires permits from French authorities due to the island's environmental protection status. Visitors interested in the site should contact the relevant French government offices to understand current access rules and obtain necessary approvals.

The cliffs are home to one of the world's largest yellow-nosed albatross colonies with hundreds of thousands of birds. More than 360 square kilometers of the area are designated as an Important Bird Area of international significance.