Réserve naturelle des îles Cerbicale, Nature reserve off Porto-Vecchio, France
Réserve naturelle des îles Cerbicale is a protected marine area off Porto-Vecchio with four main islands and two rocky islets in the Mediterranean Sea. Together they form an ecological mosaic with dense vegetation and rocky coastal formations.
The French state established this archipelago as a nature reserve in 1981 to protect its ecological resources. The formal designation marked a turning point in recognizing the value of these marine spaces.
The islands carry names reflecting their forms and history, revealing today a natural landscape untouched by permanent human settlement. The absence of fresh water has preserved this isolation across centuries and still shapes the character of these undisturbed places.
Visitors reach the islands only by boat, while landing, fishing, and hunting are prohibited. These rules allow you to observe wildlife and the natural environment from a safe distance.
Dense maquis vegetation grows here up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall, creating a thick tangle across the islands. This thriving plant landscape is why several seabird species come here to nest and find safe breeding grounds.
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