Malima Islets, Kibobo Islets and ,,Maldives style” islands

Malima islets (also known as Malima Island )is a volcanic island, with an area of 24 acres (10 ha), the term island is actually used, as a whole object, but islands are also mentioned, because they are. One island 680m by 230m, and a smaller island 230m by 100m are connected by corals and a sandy base, and are surrounded by a round protective coral reef (diagonal 4.5km), so it looks like an atoll. The small islands are 17 km northwest of Vanu Balava and 14 km from Kanacea.

Maldives-style islands. There are even several islands that resemble the Maldives, in fact, they have the same structures, only in Fiji. Classically, they are round or rounded, the first circle – in the middle of the vegetation that is adapted to the salt base (which means a lot of coconut palms and shrubs), and around it white beaches – the second circle, and the third circle – the coral reef of each island ( not always in a circular shape). For some reason, some islands do not have names on any of the maps. For some, there isn’t even a picture.

Kibobo Islets consists of three small elevated coral islands. They are located about 11km north of Vanu Balavu. Kibobo Islands were first visited by scientists in 1920, and even then they established the importance of that area for some species of birds. There were expeditions in 1983 and 2007, and as many as six species of birds were recorded to live there (about 2,000 pairs), and a flying fox. They even noticed one species of snail, which is native to Fiji and marked as an endangered species.

Although small, they are isolated and surrounded by a large coral reef, so they are important for the local ecosystem. The picture is from the satellite because I couldn’t find any for them, which is very strange.

POST UPDATE: 27.December 2021

Nukutolu Isles – Apparently, those three ,,Maldives style” islands about 7,5 kms southwest from Yacata Island are known as Nukutolu Isles. The eastern one consists of bushes, coconut trees, sand, and it is surrounded by a reef. Its size is around 430m x 380n. The second (1,4 km west direction) and third islets are west from it. They are connected with a single reef. Bigger isle consists of sand and rock combination, covered with some coconuts and bushes. Third, the smallest one is a rock covered with bushes. Nukutolu Isles are not inhabited.