ASSUMPTION ISLAND LANDING

The first landing opportunity was on Assumption Island for a “Beach Bar” hangout as well as an opportunity to swim/snorkel in the shallows.

In order to get on the island, we needed to prepare for a wet landing from our Zodiacs,  as there are no docks.

Again I will stress that there are serious protocols to insure safety- we were given “lessons” in our briefing the night before. Most of us were either wearing watershoes (flip flops are not allowed as they provide no support/balance) or were prepared to go barefoot, carrying our footwear in wetbags as the zodiacs cannot get too close to shore to protect their motors.  In addition, depending on the currents, this landing can become tricky with waves churning the shallow waters (shallow meaning maybe 10 or so inches as best scenario).
Upon getting  close to shore people sitting in the front of the zodiac had to prepare to get into the first position – sitting on the pontoons, getting ready to swing one leg over while facing BACKWARDS towards the ocean.  This way you can see what the water is doing to avoid getting wiped out by a wave.  The expedition crew, already in the water, would then  firmly grab your wrist and lower arm to lock in stability on the potentially uneven sand floor and once settled people one by one could make way onto the shore.  Once the first person disembarks,  everyone then shifts down the pontoon and the next person can proceed.

Without mishap all passengers safely disembarked and were on the beach we were met with island music and refreshments.

 

Here’s  a bit of historical background on Assumption Island
  • The island was discovered on August 14, 1756, and named after the religious feast of the Assumption.
  • Sadly the stunning beauty and abundance of natural resources has been under almost constant threats
    • In 1908, the island was leased to H. Savy of Mahé, creating a        coconut plantation before switching to massive guano mining operations, which largely depleted the island’s natural resources.
      • Guano is  excrement of seabirds, etc.  It is nutrient rich, carrying nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and as such has been used for centuries as a natural fertilizer, enhancing soil fertility.  Due to this, it was once a major economic driver for agriculture.
      • Guano does not look like goopy droppings, but is rather rock-like.  because it consists of highly concentrated, accumulated, dried droppings that often fossilize or harden over decades.
      • Although these operations are long gone, the effects of their damage is still a constant threat
  • Proposals to build an American military base and deep-sea port were abandoned in the mid-1960s after strong protests from environmental groups.  However, in 2004, the island was leased to a Qatari investment group for $50 million.
    • A luxury 37 villa resort was being developed and due to environmental concerns and pressure, a stop notice was issued in November 2025. As of early 2026 the project is still under intense review – although I have seen online promotions for the resort that sounded suspiciously as though it is open.  The resort was not mentioned by anyone during our visit

Assumption Island and its surrounding waters  were the sites of  the filming of Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s famous 1956 documentary, The Silent World. This was the first feature  length color film to showcase  the ocean’s depths to the general public, pioneering underwater cinematography.  Ironically, some of the operations of this work are now considered dangerous to marine life:

    • Dynamite usage – In The Silent World (1956), the crew used dynamite on a reef to survey fish, which caused irreparable destruction to the marine ecosystem.
    •  Shark killings: Cousteau and his crew participated in the senseless killing of sharks, depicting it as a dramatic, necessary action in early films, a practice he later expressed shame over.C
    • Coral reef damage:  Parts of coral reefs were destroyed to allow their ship, the Calypso, to gain better access to shooting locations.

To his credit over the years he saw firsthand the damage that was being done to these areas and he tirelessly advocated for conserve action efforts. One of Cousteau’s most often cited quotes is:

People protect what they love”

This is worth protecting:

 

To be continued…

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