The Candlemas Islands are a group of small uninhabited islands in the northern part of the South Sandwich Islands, in the South Atlantic Ocean. The Candlemas Islands lie 23 mi southeast of Visokoi Island. They consist of Candlemas Island and Vindication Island, divided by Nelson Channel, and numerous rocks. The Candlemas Islands were discovered on February 2, 1775, by a British expedition led by James Cook, who named them to commemorate the day of their discovery.