The island is about 14 kilometres long and surrounded by turquoise sea. Fishing boats painted in bright colours bob in the harbour, and children swim in the warm shallow water near the shore. The coral reefs just offshore are full of tropical fish in every colour imaginable.
Most people get to Île-à-Vache by taking a short boat ride across the bay from the mainland town of Les Cayes. As the boat crosses the water, you can often see flying fish leaping from the waves and seabirds circling overhead.
Life on the island moves at a gentle pace. Fishermen set out early in the morning and return with the day's catch. Local cooks prepare fresh seafood dishes right on the beach. In the evenings, the sky above the island fills with stars because there are very few electric lights to dim them.
Artists and musicians visit Île-à-Vache for its beauty and quiet. Painters set up their easels on the beach and try to capture the exact shade of the water — a job that is harder than it sounds, because the colour changes with the light all through the day.