 | |
| Other names | Mosquito Island |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 18°30′38″N 64°23′38″W / 18.51056°N 64.39389°W |
| Archipelago | Virgin Islands |
| Area | 125 acres (51 ha) |
| Administration | |
United Kingdom | |
| British Overseas Territory | British Virgin Islands |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
| ISO code | VG |
Moskito Island (sometimes spelled Mosquito Island) is an island off the coast of Virgin Gorda and has long been a favourite for scuba divers and sailors. For many years the island was the location of a sail-in dive resort named Drake's Anchorage. Sir Richard Branson purchased the island in 2007 for £10 million.[1]
Branson announced in 2011 that he planned to relocate ring-tailed lemurs from some zoos in Canada, Sweden, and South Africa to the island. Later relocations of red ruffed lemurs and possibly sifakas might follow. The announced plans were met with some criticism.[1]
The island is located on the west side of Gorda Sound adjacent to Virgin Gorda and near Necker Island, which is also owned by Branson.
Barack Obama visited the island in February 2017, and learned how to kiteboard there, shortly after his retirement as President of the United States.[2][3]
- ^ a b Rory Carroll. "Richard Branson to create sanctuary for lemurs - 8,000 miles from their home". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ^ Richard Branson (7 February 2017). "Richard vs Barack - kiteboard and foilboard challenge". Virgin. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ^ David Ingram (7 February 2017). "Obama kiteboards in Caribbean with billionaire Richard Branson". Reuters. Retrieved 8 February 2017.