In 1615 the Dutch invaded Ai Island and made “Fort Revenge,” which you can visit today. There are still active nutmeg plantations on the island and old colonial plantation mansions, one of which is still inhabited by descendants of the original Dutch Perkeneer family that arrived in 1585. Ai Island has one of the finest wild pearls on the planet, highly valued by collectors. Today, Ai’s greatest attraction is snorkeling and scuba-diving, where pristine coral drop-offs lie just off the beach. In October, groups of Napoleon fish appear, along with migrating dolphins and whales.
