Information
Landmark: Îles de la BaieCity: Cayenne
Country: French Guiana
Continent: South America
Îles de la Baie, Cayenne, French Guiana, South America
Overview
Îles de la Baie (Bay Islands): A Detailed OverviewLocation and OverviewThe Îles de la Baie (Bay Islands) are a small group of islands located at the mouth of the Kourou River, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of French Guiana.Îles de la Baie, or the Bay Islands, form a small cluster at the mouth of the Kourou River, where its brown waters spill into the Atlantic just off the coast of French Guiana.These islands lie within the Kourou Bay region, prized for their wild coastline, rich history, and closeness to the Guiana Space Centre, just outside the town of Kourou.The islands range from Île Royale to Île Saint-Joseph and the windswept Île du Diable, with a few more scattered nearby.They’re best known for their part in the French Guiana Penal Colony of the 19th and 20th centuries, and for the lush rainforests, rare wildlife, and weathered stone ruins that still dot the landscape.The Îles de la Baie sit at the mouth of the Kourou River, where they spill into Kourou Bay, their small shores edged with mangroves, bright green foliage, and stretches of untouched white sand; among them, Île Royale stands out as the largest and easiest to reach.The Îles de la Baie carry a long, layered history, with crumbling walls and rusted iron bars still marking the old penal colony.Visitors come for the sweep of white-sand beaches, shaded hiking trails, and the haunting ruins that tell of both beauty and brutality.Smaller and more rugged than Île Royale, Île Saint-Joseph offers sweeping views, moss-covered prison remains, and forests alive with birdsong.Île du Diable, the most infamous of the three, once held political prisoners like Captain Dreyfus; though entry is limited, its stark cliffs and prison traces still draw those fascinated by its past.In the colonial era, these islands became a notorious part of France’s remote penal system.The French government once sent prisoners to these remote islands, often for political crimes, with Devil’s Island infamous for its stifling heat, isolation, and cruelty.From 1852 to 1953, thousands were held there, and many never made it out alive.Among them was Captain Alfred Dreyfus, whose wrongful imprisonment came to symbolize the deep injustices of the penal system.Today, the islands remain tied to French Guiana’s colonial past and its grim record of political repression.Weathered prison walls and crumbling guardhouses from the penal era still stand, offering a stark window into that grim past.The islands teem with life-mangrove roots twist into green water, frigatebirds wheel overhead, and dense forests crowd the shore.Île Royale, famous for its nesting seabirds, lies at the heart of ongoing efforts to protect this fragile ecosystem while welcoming visitors.Trails lead through ruins of cells and offices on Île Royale and Île Saint-Joseph, and guided tours bring the penal colony’s harsh history to life, including tales of the infamous Île du Diable.Between hikes, travelers watch monkeys leap through branches, spot lizards sunning on rocks, or join boat trips skimming past mangroves and bright sand beaches.Boat tours to the Îles de la Baie often stop at Île Royale and Île Saint-Joseph for hikes through lush tropical forest, past crumbling stone walls of the old penal colony, or for quiet moments on pristine beaches where you can swim, snorkel, or simply stretch out in the sun; most trips depart from Kourou, about 60 kilometers from Cayenne, with the dry season from July to December offering the best weather for exploring, and while Île Royale has a few basic facilities, many visitors stay in Kourou, bringing sturdy shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, plenty of water, and a camera to capture the islands’ blend of wild beauty, diverse wildlife, and haunting history.You can wander the crumbling walls of the old French penal colony, trek beneath the shade of giant palm fronds, or stretch out on soft white sand-these islands have something for every kind of traveler.Being so close to Kourou and the Guiana Space Centre gives the region’s history a modern edge-rocket launches sometimes light up the night sky.
