Perejil Island Island

Perejil Island (Isla Perejil) is a very small, uninhabited rocky islet in the waters off the northwest African coast near the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The feature has no permanent population, no infrastructure and is primarily notable for its geopolitical sensitivity.

The islet’s low, scrub-covered terrain is only a short distance off the Moroccan coast and it lies in the Strait of Gibraltar area; sovereignty has been contested and it has occasionally been the subject of diplomatic incidents. There are no visitor facilities and access is not a routine tourist activity.

Geographically it sits close to Ceuta and the Moroccan shoreline in the western Mediterranean and is visible from nearby coastal points but is not used for regular visits or development.

• Status and sovereignty: The islet is uninhabited and landing is generally prohibited; it has been the subject of a sovereignty dispute between Spain and Morocco.
• 2002 incident: In 2002 the island was the focus of a short military and diplomatic crisis between Spain and Morocco that ended with a return to the pre-crisis status quo.

There is no public access to Perejil Island. It lies a short distance off the Moroccan coast near Ceuta; any approach without authorization is inadvisable due to security patrols and unresolved jurisdictional sensitivities.

• Perejil (Parsley) Island is small and uninhabited - do not attempt to land without official authorization due to jurisdictional sensitivities.
• Observe from boats or the Spanish or Moroccan coasts rather than attempting to visit; naval patrols are common in the area.