Another one of the many tropical islands in the Mozambique channel, Juan de Nova was named after the João da Nova, a Galician admiral in the service of Portugal. It is one third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique. Currently a nature reserve surrounded by reefs, Juan de Nova is a sea turtle nesting ground. The island is in the cyclone path and is thus affected by strong winds and strong currents. A combination of the two plus the treacherous reefs surrounding the island have meant that the area is known as a bit of a ship cemetery. The SS Tottenham is a well preserved, highly visible and an excellent example of one such wreck. The island was used for Guano mining at one point by the French East Africa Company and some abandoned houses remain as a reminder. Today there are no permanent residents, but the region is frequented by the coast guard and by the French military.
