Seabirds from Tarifa Island

The island of Tarifa or “island of the doves”, connected with mainland by a man-made isthmus, pokes well out into the Strait forming the southernmost point of continental Europe. This location means we can get closer to the birds, which in turn, makes it more convenient to watch and identify them.

Each year, thousands of seabirds pass through the Strait on their way into the Mediterranean Sea or out to the Atlantic Ocean, with a total of up to 38 species reported. Among them, Northern Gannet, European Storm-petrel, Leach´s Storm-petrel, Pomarine, Arctic and Great Skuas, Puffin, Caspian, Lesser Crested, Sandwich and Black Terns are to be noted. The sheer spectacle of over 150000 Cory’s Shearwaters in October and November and masses of the endangered Balearic Shearwater in May and July are, without a doubt, the highlights of the year.

The seabirds, an astonishing view over the Moroccan coast, and, with a bit of luck, an encounter with cetaceans await you in a place laden with a fascinating history.

Note: The island of Tarifa is a protected nature reserve and access is restricted. Please be aware we need your passport or ID card and full name in advance in order to arrange the necessary access permit.