João Vieira And Poilão Marine National Park

Located southwest of the Bijagós Archipelago, the João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park (PNMJVP) covers 4 islands and three islets, in their order: João Vieira, Cavalo, Meio, Poilão and Baixo das Gaivotas.

And all this makes the João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park add up to more than 495 km2 and, consequently, be home to several species of animals.  

Flora and Fauna

Palm trees occupy most of the vegetation formation in the João Vieira and Poilão National Marine Park, but there are also several mangroves in the intertidal regions.

Poilon Island is considered the most important nesting site in the eastern Atlantic for the green turtle, and is also home to two other species of sea turtles, the Olive Ridley and the hawksbill turtle.

Besides turtles, the park also has two species of dolphins, a diversity of fish, and even sharks!

Now out of the water, you can find a large community of ichthyophagous (pscivorous) birds, such as grey parrots, black terns, and terns.

Aerial view of João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park/ IBAP

Inhabitant Communities

The islands that make up this park have no fixed residents, the four main islands being the property of four tabancas of Canhabaque.

The inhabitants there use these islands only for holding religious ceremonies, collecting palm products, and growing rice.

Poilão Island, home to one of the largest nesting green turtle populations in the world/ MVarela