---
title: "Santa Luzia: The deserted island of mystical and magical legends"
url: "https://www.vista-verde.com/en/fascinating-islands/santa-luzia/"
description: Nowadays the island serves as a breeding ground for many endemic bird species, and for this reason it is a protected reserve.
date: 2019-02-06
modified: 2020-10-15
lastUpdated: 2020-10-15
keywords:
  - "Santa Luzia
uninhabitat
lack of any natural water 
breeding ground 
protected reserve"
---

# Santa Luzia: The deserted island of mystical and magical legends

1. [vista verde tours - Cape Verde with the expert](https://www.vista-verde.com/en/)
2. [Fascinating Islands](https://www.vista-verde.com/en/fascinating-islands/)
3. Santa Luzia

  The deserted island of mystical and magical legends
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 This **uninhabited island** of 35 square metres is located between São Vicente and São Nicolau. During the 19th century it had mostly been **used for farming**. An extremely arid climate combined with the lack of any natural water resource and only sparse vegetation has resulted in Santa Luzia never being colonised properly.

Nowadays the island serves as a **breeding ground** for many endemic bird species, and for this reason it is a **protected reserv**e. At the moment only local fishermen are allowed to enter the surrounding water (sailing boats and yachts need special permission) but there is a long-term vision to establish tourism on the island in a **sustainable and eco-friendly way**.

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