Platte

Platte lies 140 kilometres south of Victoria. It is a small island of just 54 hectares. Platte was discovered and named in 1769 for its low topography by Lieutenant de Lampériaire of La Curieuse

History

​In 1828 Platte was proposed as a suitable location for an isolation camp for leprosy sufferers, but in 1838 the island was taken over by the British administration for use as a quarantine station for visiting ships instead. It did not prove entirely satisfactory and this was later abandoned. In the 1840s there was sufficient guano on the island to make it worthwhile excavating, and exploitation lasted until the early 20th century. 

Conservation

​Red-footed Booby and Sooty Tern used to breed but are now extinct. Brown Noddy and White-tailed Tropicbird still breed while hundreds of Lesser Noddy and Bridled Tern roost at night. Barn Owls were introduced in 1949 but died out in 1951-1952. Madagascar Fody also breed.  A year-long turtle study conducted in 1998 demonstrated Platte to have significant populations of some 40 female hawksbills nesting annually. 

Economic Activities

​IDC maintains an airstrip on Platte. A 4-room Guest House has been built on the island for visitors.