Desertas Islands

The name Desertas Islands translates in Arabic to "deserted islands", and it includes three small islands of volcanic origin located southeast of Madeira Island: Chao Island, Desert Grande and Bugio. These islands are dominated by red and yellow ash, and have an extended coastline of about 37,700 meters. It has steep and almost vertical rock bridges, and this area became a protected site in May 1990 in order to preserve its unique and rare wildlife and plants.