Isola dei Conigli, Small Mediterranean island near Lampedusa, Italy
Isola dei Conigli is a small Mediterranean island off the coast of Lampedusa in the southern part of the sea. The islet sits just a few meters from the shore and can sometimes be reached on foot during low tide, while at higher water a narrow channel separates the two landmasses.
In the 1980s the Italian government declared this area a protected natural reserve to safeguard the nesting sites of the loggerhead turtle. This measure arose from growing concern about the threatened species that had been laying eggs here for centuries.
The name comes not from rabbits but possibly from earlier terms that were mistranslated over time. Today visitors use this area mainly for swimming or snorkeling, with the clear water leading directly to the small landmass.
Access is permitted only during daylight hours and the number of daily visitors is limited to protect the natural environment. Boats from Lampedusa bring guests here during summer months, with the transfer varying depending on weather conditions.
Sea turtles lay their eggs between May and August on the beach, making this spot one of the most important nesting areas in the entire Mediterranean. The egg-laying happens mostly at night, and newly hatched young find their way to the water in the early morning light.
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