Islas e Islotes del Mar Mediterráneo, Protected archipelago in Region of Murcia, Spain
The Islas e Islotes del Mar Mediterráneo is a protected landscape in the Region of Murcia, made up of small islands and rocky formations scattered along the coast between Águilas and La Manga del Mar Menor. The area covers rocky cliffs, narrow coves, and a range of coastal habitats that fall under official conservation status.
For many decades the islands were used for military purposes, which kept them away from tourism and development. Official recognition as a protected landscape came in 2019.
The islands are home to nesting seabirds such as storm petrels and cormorants, which can be watched from the water during the breeding season. This makes boat trips along the coast a natural way for visitors to experience the wildlife up close.
Access to the islands is strictly limited to protect the natural habitats, so most visitors observe them from the water or the coast. It is worth checking with local information points before planning a visit to understand what is currently allowed.
The islands support rare plant species with Ibero-African origins, such as Periploca angustifolia and Caralluma europaea, which are hard to find elsewhere in Europe. These plants grow across four distinct habitat types that are recognized under European conservation law.
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