Glorioso Islands

The Glorioso Islands (Îles Glorieuses) lie at the northern entrance of the Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and the Comoros, two low coral islands and a few rocks on a shallow bank. Grande Glorieuse carries a coconut grove planted in the old plantation days, a military post and a weather station. Île du Lys is a smaller island where sooty terns and noddies nest in the thousands. The surrounding waters form a marine nature park, with reefs, sea grass and green turtles that nest on the beaches. Landings are for the garrison, scientists and permit holders only.