Chafarinas Islands Islands

Address: Chafarinas Islands (Islas Chafarinas), off the coast of Melilla, Spain

Website: https://www.miteco.gob.es (Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition)

Admission: Access regulated by Spanish authorities; landing restricted and often closed to visitors; no overnight stays permitted

The Chafarinas Islands are a small Spanish archipelago in the Alboran Sea off the north coast of Africa, administered as an overseas possession and noted for their seabird colonies. The group is small in area but important for wildlife and is under restricted access.

The islands are largely uninhabited except for a small permanent Spanish presence and are managed for defense and conservation purposes rather than tourism. Typical visitor activity is scientific or controlled visits rather than general public tourism.

Spain established control of the islands in the 19th century and they have since been used for military garrisoning and, more recently, for nature protection and monitoring of seabird populations.

Geographically the Chafarinas lie in the western Mediterranean Alboran Sea close to the Moroccan coast and form one of several small Spanish outposts along the North African shoreline.

• Conservation and access: Administered by Spain, the islands are a protected area with important seabird colonies and restricted public access, so visits require permission.
• Location note: They lie in the Alboran Sea off the north African coast and are closer to Morocco than to mainland Spain, giving them strategic and ecological significance.

What to See#

• Island group: Three small islands that form the group and are the basic geographic units of the archipelago; access to the islands is limited and managed for conservation and security.

The islands are administered from Melilla; authorised scientific and conservation trips depart from official ports under permit. Private visits are rare and need coordination with Spanish authorities.

• Chafarinas Islands are a protected nature reserve - access is restricted and usually requires prior permission from Spanish authorities (often military-controlled).
• Birdwatchers should contact the regional environmental authorities for permitted visits during migration seasons.
• Do not assume boat operators will be allowed to land; many trips are observational only.