COETIVY ISLAND
CHART NO. 2557(INT7605)

General Information
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1	Topography Coetivy (7º 08'.00S, 56º 17'.00 E) is covered with trees, mainly coconut palms, except at the S end where it is more open. There are several sandhills but none higher than the trees and they cannot be seen from seaward. On the W coast of the island there is a small settlement.
2	The island lies on the E edge of a rectangular-shaped bank, occupying the N half of that side. It is partially surrounded by a coastal reef which partly dries and borders the entire E coast and which extends 23/4 miles farther SW, beyond the island, to occupy another quarter of the E side of the bank. There is an extensive area of rocks to the W and SW of the S half of the islands and reef.
3	Depths.  A shoal area extends SSW of the island, bordering the reef mentioned above which partially dries at LW and on which the sea breaks heavily during the South-east trade wind. The main bank extends W from the islands a distance of about 9 miles, having depths between 6.7 m and 200m. Beyond the edges of the bank and E of the island the depth increases rapidly beyond 300m.
4	Overfalls from at LW about 1 mile W of the S point of the island.
Tidal levels. Mean spring range about 1.0m; mean neap range about 0.3m. For further information see Admiralty Tide Tables Volume 3.

Directions
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1	Passage south of Coetivy. The island should be given a wide berth in order to avoid the bank and shoaled area described at 10.56.
Passage west of Coetivy. From a position not less than 8 miles SW of the island a vessel on passage W of the island should proceed generally N, passing W of the shoaled area described at 10.56. Deep-draught vessels should attempt to pass not less than 10 miles W to avoid passing over the main bank.
2	Passage east or north of Coetivy. The plan is sufficient guide.
	Useful marks:
	Small sand cay (7°11'.31S 56°14'.78E).
White cross, about 3m in height (7°08'.56S 56°16'.25E), situated in the settlement. Approaching from N the cross cannot be seen until it bears 120°. In 1978 it was reported as not having been sighted.

Anchorages, landing and facilities
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1	Anchorages. Excellent shelter from the South-east trade wind can be obtained anywhere on the bank W of Coetivy. The most convenient berth for communication with the shore is off the settlement, but it is advisable to anchor more than 5 cables from the shore due to the presence of coral heads.
	Previously, HM Survey vessels have found safe anchorage in the following positions:
2	In the position shown on the plan, in 26m, with settlement bearing 130° and the NW point of the island bearing 037°.
	In 15 m, 71/2 cables offshore, with the S point of the island bearing 1761/2° and the NW point bearing 036°.
3	Landing. A boat channel leads to a beach off the settlement. The channel should be used with extreme caution as there are coral heads up to 4 cables off the beach.
	Facility: hospital on Coetivy.
	Communications. Airstrip with links to Mahe.