A deserted island paradise has become a cliche – palm-lined, white-sand beaches leading into balmy turquoise water, nothing but sunshine, seaspray, and a gentle breeze. There’s probably a hammock, a coconut drink, and a spectacular sunset involved. But cliches are cliches for a reason – and sometimes they become true in front of your eyes. Welcome to Curieuse, pronounced ‘Curious’. An island in Seychelles that really is that remote, that idyllic and that wild. 

Curieuse is a small island in the Seychelles close to the north coast of the island of Praslin, and was used as a leper colony until 1965. This isolation helped protect the ecosystem from human influence. The island is notable for its bare red earth intermingled with the unique coco de mer palms, which are famous for their large palm nuts and are one of the cultural icons of the Seychelles. These trees only grow here and on the two neighbouring islands. Curieuse is also home to some of the last remaining healthy mangrove systems in the region. In addition, the island is home to several populations of unique species of animals – all of which form part of our research and conservation efforts of the island – including: 

• A large population of Aldabra giant tortoises who roam freely on the island. 
• Hawksbill and green sea turtles that nest on the island’s beaches. 
• Lemon sharks that use the local reef system for protection during their breeding season.