Ilyash-Desertas or Desertas Islands - a small group of islands, which is located 25 km south-east from Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern part of the island of Madeira.

Ilyash-Desertas - three long and narrow island - Elijah Shaw, Deserta Grande and Buzhiu, which are located approximately between the island of Madeira and the Canary Islands. The length of this small archipelago is 23 km away. All the islands are of volcanic origin.

Since 1995, the Desertas islands classified as nature reserve because of its unique natural heritage, some of which are rare and endemic birds. For example, the islands inhabited by monk seals and white-bellied seal, which is endangered and is considered one of the rarest seal species in the world.

Ilyash-Desertas - high, long and rocky island - in its different geology of the island of Madeira, although they are close enough. The surface of the rocky islands, virtually no vegetation, no population. Maybe that's why these uninhabited islands are called "Desertas", which means "desert island". The island is home to about 16 species of birds, including 8 species of sea birds. Also on the island there are rare species of wild goats, rabbits and rodents that were brought from the Portuguese navigators first set foot on the rocky shores of the islands. Representatives of local fauna are snakes, turtles, tarantulas and lizards.

The island Deserta Grande have their own water resources. However, the water is dirty and it is very small, all attempts to colonize the island were in vain because of the inability of agriculture on soil and a lack of water. There is an interesting legend that in 1804 rebelled Spanish sailors buried on the islands treasure, and on top of a chest of treasure threw the corpse of the captain, who was killed by them during the revolt, and the ghost of Captain roams the island still guarding his treasure .