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Denis Island is a coralline island and is situated ninety-five kilometres north of Mahe at three degrees South of the equator. The Island is at the ede of the Seychelles Bank which plunges 2000 metres down into the deep abyss of the Indian ocean.
The Island is named after Denis de Torbriand, who landed there in 1773 from he French vessel L’Etoile to find it covered in a profusion of sea birds, giant tortoise, turtle and “sea cows” now extinct. Somewhere on the island is buried a bottle containing the Act of possession, claiming the island in the name of the King of France. This historical treasure still awaits discovery. Guarded in large part by coral reefs, this has created a natural lagoon, which washes an almost continuous startlingly white sandy beach. Denis also boats a spectacular lighthouse built in 1908 and the only ecumenical chapel in the entire Seychelles Archipelago.
Ownership of Denis Island
Denis Island is privately owned and all it’s inhabitants are employed by Denis Island Development Company limited which is 100% Seychellois owned. Taj hotels manages the resort.
Geography of Denis Island
With is crescent shape, Denis Island is a fertile coral island due to the accumulation over years of guano deposits. The island has a land area of 375 acres. It is 1300 metres at its longest point and 1750 metres at its widest point it takes between one and a half to two and a half hours to walk around the island.
The Denis island airstrip is 900 metres long running south East to North East and serves the island width wise.
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