Ilhéu Chão, Island in Madeira, Portugal
Îlot Chão is a small, uninhabited island in the Atlantic Ocean, lying south of Madeira as part of the Desertas island group. It consists mainly of rocky terrain with steep cliffs, narrow sandy patches, and sparse low-growing plants shaped by the salty wind.
The Desertas islands, including Îlot Chão, were once used by Madeira fishermen as temporary stopping points for camping and fishing in the surrounding waters. The island is now protected and human access is strictly controlled.
Îlot Chão is part of the Desertas nature reserve, which protects the rare monk seal found almost nowhere else in the world. Boat tours occasionally spot these animals resting on the rocks near the shore.
Îlot Chão is only reachable by boat, usually through guided tours departing from Madeira. Since it is a protected area, landing without a permit is not allowed, but the surroundings can be observed well from the water.
Although Îlot Chão is tiny, the waters around it are considered one of the last refuges of the Mediterranean monk seal in Europe. This species is among the rarest in the world.
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