History and tourism
This flat island sits on an immense coral
barrier, which is its main interest. This is
an aquatic universe in miniature and
since the island was first settled, has been
the focus of the island’s fishermen. Their
ancestors are passed off as pirates and
later notorious wreckers whose victims
litter the long coral bank which stretches
miles S of the island and, because it’s just
awash, is a death trap to ships at sea. But
these days it’s that mélange of wrecks,
fish and living coral which entices divers.
Thanks to the productive fishing there
are several restaurants, particularly in the
N of the island, to welcome the tourists
and sailors who arrive every day.

The only settlement is appropriately called
The Settlement and is just a simple
fishing village and interesting only as
that. Much of the island is taken up with
mangrove-fringed lagoons (Flamingo
Pond, etc.) bustling with bird life,
including pink flamingos. There are some
driveable roads serving the various
inhabited areas. Close to The Settlement
there’s a small airstrip for the tourist
trade.