Oeno Island


Oeno Island or Holiday Island is an uninhabited coral atoll in the South Pacific Ocean, part of the Pitcairn Islands overseas territory. It is part of the Pitcairn Island Group, together with Pitcairn, Henderson and Ducie islands.

Geography

Oeno Island is located northwest of Pitcairn Island, at. Oeno Atoll measures about in diameter, including the central lagoon, with a total area exceeding. There are two larger and three smaller islets on or within the rim of the atoll. Their aggregate land area is only. Oeno serves as a private holiday site for the few residents of Pitcairn Island, who travel there and stay for two weeks in January because Oeno has beaches while Pitcairn doesn't.
The main island, about in area, has forest and scrub with pandanus and palm trees. It is located in the southwest part of the atoll's lagoon. There is a water tap installed on the island. The maximum elevation is less than. Sandy Island is to the northeast, within the lagoon, and may be an ephemeral island. Three smaller islets are to the south and west of the main island.

Important Bird Area

The island has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area principally for its colony of Murphy's petrels, which, at some 12,500 pairs, is estimated to be the second largest colony of these birds in the world.

History

January 1819: Captain James Henderson of the British East India Company ship Hercules sights Oeno Island