Desroches
About the island
Overview
Desroches is the largest island in the Amirantes (394 hectares) and the closest to the granitic islands, lying 230 km southwest of Victoria. It is a sand cay on the western edge of a submerged atoll about 20 km in diameter.
The island is just over 5 km long but only 330 metres wide at its narrowest point. A channel northwest of the island is about 1.6 km wide and 18 metres deep, allowing even cruise ships to enter the calm waters of the lagoon, within which there is little variation in the depth at around 25 metres.
In 1771, the island was named L’île des Roches by la Biolière commander of L’Etoile du Matin to honour François Julien des Roches, Governor of Mauritius (then Île de France) and Réunion (then Bourbon).
The island is just over 5 km long but only 330 metres wide at its narrowest point. A channel northwest of the island is about 1.6 km wide and 18 metres deep, allowing even cruise ships to enter the calm waters of the lagoon, within which there is little variation in the depth at around 25 metres.
In 1771, the island was named L’île des Roches by la Biolière commander of L’Etoile du Matin to honour François Julien des Roches, Governor of Mauritius (then Île de France) and Réunion (then Bourbon).
Island Background
History
In 1815, Lieutenant Bibye Lesage, Civil Agent in Seychelles was granted the concession of Desroches, which passed to Ensign George Harrison in 1819. In 1825, the island was purchased by Jean-Francois Hodoul.
In the 1880s, copra became the major source of income. By 1906 Desroches was producing 15-20,000 coconuts a month.
On English charts it was called Wood Island, because of the extensive native forest and in 1835 when the island was first settled, many casuarina trees were planted, creating a forest which provided timber, fuel and charcoal. A visitor in 1906 mentioned that the island was still exporting firewood. Pockets of this forest remain.
The IDC village is situated on the north coast where there has been a settlement since the old days when Desroches was an important centre of agriculture in Seychelles.
On English charts it was called Wood Island, because of the extensive native forest and in 1835 when the island was first settled, many casuarina trees were planted, creating a forest which provided timber, fuel and charcoal. A visitor in 1906 mentioned that the island was still exporting firewood. Pockets of this forest remain.
The IDC village is situated on the north coast where there has been a settlement since the old days when Desroches was an important centre of agriculture in Seychelles.
Preserving The Island's Unique Biodiversity
Conservation
In 2007, the Desroches Foundation was established as a partnership between the Island Conservation Society (ICS), IDC, the Ministry of Environment and hotel investors to support conservation efforts on Desroches. This collaboration was further strengthened in 2009 with the establishment of the ICS Conservation Centre on the island.
Nature conservation meets visitor experience
Economic Activities
Tourism is now the main economic activity.
The first hotel on the island was built in 1987. Over the years, it underwent extensive changes before eventually closing to make way for a complete redevelopment. The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island officially opened on 1st March 2018, ushering in a new era for tourism on the island.
Trials on selected crop varieties have also been undertaken, with several proving highly successful. IDC is now able to apply the results of these trials to its agricultural operations on Coëtivy, particularly for onions, tomatoes and other vegetables. Vegetable production has also been expanded on Desroches to supply the Four Seasons resort, alongside the production of free-range chicken eggs.
IDC operates a guesthouse for Seychellois visitors on the island and offers logistical support to the Island Conservation Society.
Trials on selected crop varieties have also been undertaken, with several proving highly successful. IDC is now able to apply the results of these trials to its agricultural operations on Coëtivy, particularly for onions, tomatoes and other vegetables. Vegetable production has also been expanded on Desroches to supply the Four Seasons resort, alongside the production of free-range chicken eggs.
IDC operates a guesthouse for Seychellois visitors on the island and offers logistical support to the Island Conservation Society.
Explore the Beauty of the Islands
Gallery
