Cargados Carajos is a collection of low islets, coral reefs and sandbanks located 350 kilometers north east of Mauritius. It is popularly referred to as Saint Brandon.
Cargados Carajos shoals are a group of 16 small islands and islets. These islands support scanty population spread over a total land area of 1.3 square kilometer. This group of islands is a popular tourist attraction of Mauritius because of the exotic coral reefs and the rich variety of flora and fauna found in these islands.
Cargados Carajos Islands
Numerous unnamed islands are located in Cargados Carajos. There are around 40 islands located on this reef. The Siren Island, Frigate Island and the Pearl are located on the western reef. Albatros Island is famous, as it is the single coral island located 18 kilometer north. Majority of the population is concentrated in the Raphael Island. This beautiful island houses a fishing station, a meteorological station and a coast guard. Avocare, Cocos and Sud are smaller settlements.
Cargados Carajos Flora and Fauna
Thickets, bushes and shrubs are the main vegetation that covers these islands. A carpet of thick granular sands cover these islands. It is a result of coral erosion from the reefs. They form an ideal nesting site for the green sea turtles for laying and hatching their eggs. Cargados Carajos islands also supports a large migratory sea bird population. Keen birdwatchers can spot different varieties of sea birds in this area. Roseate Tern, Brown Noddy, Lesser Noddy, Common White tern afe different kinds of birds found in this island.
The fascinating Cargados Carajos attracts thousands of tourists with its coral reefs and diverse species of flora and fauna.