The Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park (Mallorca)

The Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park

Visit this and discover the biodiversity of its surroundings
The Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park

Visit this and discover the biodiversity of its surroundings
The Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park

Visit this and discover the biodiversity of its surroundings
The Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park

Visit this and discover the biodiversity of its surroundings

The Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park

Visit this and discover the biodiversity of its surroundings

No more than ten kilometres south of Cape Salinas in Mallorca, is the archipelago of Cabrera, a place that will captivate you with its bountiful nature. Would you like to see the island of Cabrera? Do you know that it is inhabited by a multitude of plant and animal species? Do you want to know about all the activities you can do? Read on and we will tell you all the details!

THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE ARCHIPELAGO

BEACHES ON THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ON THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

ACCOMMODATION ON THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

HOW TO GET TO THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

Vista de algunas islas que forman el archipiélago de Cabrera

THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

The Island of Cabrera is made up of an archipelago of 19 islets just ten kilometres from the southern coast of Mallorca. Cabrera was declared a Maritime Terrestrial National Park in 1991, constituting one of the incredible enclaves that make up the Balearic Islands. It is a dream place that offers the visitor unspoiled nature and the feeling of being far from any kind of civilization, suspended in time and in a practically virgin land, which makes it one of the most beautiful jewels of the Mediterranean.

The island of Cabrera has had no inhabitants since 1991, when it became a National Park. Before then, about twelve Mallorcan families, dedicated mainly dedicated to agriculture, lived there.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE ARCHIPELAGO

Life flows in the archipelago both in the water and on the coast. The National Park of Cabrera is home to over four hundred botanical species, two hundred types of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, marine birds and raptors (some in danger of extinction), reptiles and some terrestrial mammals.

It was precisely this abundance of flora and fauna that was decisive for its constitution as a maritime-terrestrial National Park. Furthermore, it is the space with the greatest diversity of fish in the Mediterranean Sea and has been declared a Special Protection Area for Birds. Did you know that?

These reasons make it an ideal destination for activities such as snorkelling, diving or bird watching.

Flora

On the surface, the vegetation is typically Mediterranean, most notably the Aleppo pine, the Holm oak, the olivillo and the juniper, among others.

However, the most impressive flora that you can find on the island is marine, since 85% of the surface of the Park is water. You can see more than 160 species of marine plants, of which 22 are endemic, among which algae such as the Posidonia Oceánica stand out.

Fauna

Terrestrial reptiles are other notable species on the island, among them, the Balearic lizard. This endemic species, commonly called Sargantana in Mallorca, has 11 subspecies that only vary in shape and colour.

As for seabirds, on the island you will discover the yellow-legged gull, the Audouin gull, the Scopoli's shearwater or the Balearic shearwater, among others; the latter, in serious danger of extinction.

Among the birds of prey, the most notable are the peregrine falcon, the osprey or the common kestrel. Some of these species do not live continuously on the island, but return every year; an opportunity to visit the island of Cabrera and make a unique photographic report.

As for mammals, the most notable are the rabbit, the genet, the black rat, the mouse, the Moorish hedgehog and some species of bats.

Cabrera is also an underwater paradise due to its over 500 species of marine fauna including molluscs, crustaceans, sponges, fish and other organisms. The gilt-head bream, sea bass, groupers, octopus, sea urchins, turtles or cuttlefish stand out and can be found on any diving or snorkelling route that you may plan. Must-do activities during your visit to the archipelago.

If you want to learn more about all the animal and plant species brought together in the Cabrera archipelago, we recommend reading this Wikipedia entry.

BEACHES ON THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

The beaches on the island of Cabrera are notable for their tranquillity, for the nature that surrounds them and for their crystalline waters overflowing with life. During your visit, you can choose the type of beach that you like most: sand, pebble or shingle; surrounded by nature or steep cliffs...

ES PALMADOR (S’Espalmador) this beach stands out as one of the longest in the archipelago, with 140 metres in length. It is composed of shingle and its waters are calm. Moreover, given its isolation, the occupancy of this beach is usually low.

SA PLATGETA next to Es Palmador, they are the most important beaches in the archipelago. They are composed of small stones and one of their main attractions is the plentiful vegetation that surrounds them, where the bushes almost merge with the Mediterranean seashore.

CAS PAGÉS this beach is 270 metres long and 12 meters wide, making it the longest on the island. As with the rest of the beaches on Cabrera, the occupancy rate is low. It is composed of sand.

CALA DONZELL is another of the beaches that belongs to the island of Cabrera. It is composed of sand and rocks. It has a low occupancy rate, which makes it quiet and exclusive. It is 50 meters long and 3 meters wide.

CALA GANDUF the beach is 80 metres long by 10 meters wide. It is an isolated, calm beach with low occupancy. This beach is composed of shingle.

CALA SANTA MARÍA finally, this cove is 45 meters long and 12 metres wide. The rate of occupancy is low and it consists of golden sand and shingle.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ON THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

CABRERA NATIONAL PARK VISITORS CENTRE this building has an aquarium and an impressive mural, "The spiral of time", as well as architecture that you cannot help but contemplate. At this centre different educational activities can be carried out, such as marine nature studies. You can visit the centre from 10a.m. to 2p.m. and from 3p.m. to 6p.m. Please note that during the months of December and January, the centre is closed. The entrance fee is approximately €8.

THE CASTLE it is a construction from the end of the 14th century, 72 metres above sea level. It has a tower, which was built with the aim of defending the island from pirates and corsairs. For many years it was used as a hospital, residence of the priest and a quarantine station during epidemics. In 1949 it was declared a cultural interest asset. Do not miss the view of the island’s beaches and landscape from this point.

THE LIGHTHOUSE OF N'ENSIOLA it is 102 meters above sea level, an ideal location for panoramic views of the island of Cabrera. On this page you can learn all the details about the lighthouse and see some photographs.

MONUMENT TO THE FRENCH PRISONERS during the War of Independence, many of Napoleon’s soldiers were captured and held on the island of Cabrera. Today you can see an obelisk in their honour that is located next to the old crop fields, on a path leading into the pine forest.

BOTANICAL GARDEN it is the place that brings together the most important species of vegetation in the National Park: alfalfa arborea, Ononis crispa, pine, lavatera arborea or rosemary, are just some of them. You cannot leave Cabrera without visiting it.

ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM we can find the museum very close to the garden. It is an old winery from the late nineteenth century that worked during the years of vine cultivation. When the vines were uprooted, it was given other uses as a hayloft. Finally, it was restored and adapted as a historical and ethnographic museum. In the museum you can find information of all kinds about Cabrera: the natural resources of the island, its flora and fauna, marine environment, a reproduction of the Byzantine necropolis, the ethnography of the island, old photographs, ancient remains such as Punic and Roman amphoras and ceramics.

BLUE CAVE it is one of the mandatory stops. In this cave, the sun’s rays light it up after midday in such a way that it acquires a deep blue colour. Visitors can swim or snorkel inside the cave. It can only be accessed by boat, although there are many companies that carry out the tour, so you will not have any problems reaching it. We recommend this visit as it is an unforgettable experience.

LOCAL BUILDINGS these are the houses and orchard of Sa Font and Can Feliu, built at the end of the 19th century and restored in the 1990s. Together with the winery and the fields, they are part of the agricultural remains of the island.

ACCOMMODATION ON THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

On the island of Cabrera there is a refuge that is the only accommodation on the island. It is an old facility that functioned as a military camp on the island of Cabrera until 1991, when it was declared a National Park.

The refuge has a limited capacity for 12 people maximum, in 4 rooms. We advise you to book in advance, since the demand is usually high. It also has a shared living room and bathroom.

To get there, take note of the location of the refuge: it is located next to Mollet de es Pagés and sa Platgeta. It is only accessible on foot, so we advise you to wear comfortable shoes, since the path is stony and irregular and there is no possibility of going by public transport. In any case, the trip takes about 15 minutes.

If you want to learn how to get to the Cabrera National Park, read on. We'll tell you below!

HOW TO GET TO THE ISLAND OF CABRERA

The best way to get to the island of Cabrera is on one of the boats that leave every day during the summer months. These boats depart from Colonia de Sant Jordi, located in Las Salinas (Ses Salines) in the south of Mallorca. The price of the boat trip ranges between €40 and €45, and tickets can be booked and purchased with the Mar Cabrera company.
Another option is to get there on your own boat, although you must request a navigation permit if you do not already have one. In case you want to spend the night there with your boat, remember that you must also request an anchoring permit. You can request all the permits on this website.

If you travel to the Balearic Islands, do not miss this paradisiacal territory, which offers culture, history and nature in its purest form; a trip that without a doubt, will not leave you indifferent.