Rock Islands Southern Lagoon

The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 400 volcanic islands. Many of them have mushroom-like forms and live in blue lagoons surrounded by coral reefs. The site's physical attractiveness is enhanced by a sophisticated reef system that includes over 385 coral species and various types of habitat. They are home to a wide range of flora, birds, and marine life, including dugongs and at least thirteen shark species.

The site has the largest density of marine lakes in the world, which are isolated bodies of seawater separated from the ocean by land barriers. They are one of the islands' distinguishing characteristics, sustaining high endemism of populations that continue to provide new species discoveries. Stonework villages, burial sites, and rock art all bear witness to the organization of small island communities over three millennia. The abandonment of villages during the 17th and 18th centuries exemplifies the effects of climate change, population growth, and subsistence behavior on a society living in a marginal marine environment.