João Vieira and Poilão

These are the outermost islands of the archipelago, a marine national park of low wooded sand islands lying far out where the shelf drops away, and part of the world heritage listing granted to the Bijagós. One of them is among the most important green turtle nesting beaches on the continent, with tens of thousands of nests laid through the second half of the year. That island is sacred to the Bijagó and landing needs permission from both the park and the island elders. A fishing camp works the other. Everything arrives by chartered boat.