This area, although contiguous with Santa Pola Salinas, it belongs administratively to Elche. The Ayuntamiento have in recent years seen fit to build a huge urbanisation right up to the edge of the disused Salinas, but, as if to compensate, the Valencian Community has financed, with not a little help from EC funds, a new reserve, on which islands have been constructed, for breeding Common, Little & Whiskered Terns, Avocets, Kentish Plovers and Collared Pratincole. There is a good boardwalk, plagued, however, by dog-walkers and other noisy people, and the odd badly-constructed hide, seemingly designed for dwarves! Mediterranean Gulls have started to breed recently in the area, and, at passage times, anything can turn up.
The reserves is accessed by turning off the N332 coast road towards La Marina. Take the 2nd left and head down towards the beach, then turning left into the car park. This place is plagued by thieves so leave nothing on display in your car. It might be safer to park by the beach, where there are other cars, and walk back, but the same rules apply as thieves operate here as well.
The sea itself is worth a look, especially in the winter months, as the bay here is fish-rich, and is often visited by big numbers of Balearic Shearwaters, and smaller representations of Razorbills, Gannets and other species, including divers, scoter and even skuas.
SAT NAV – 38°09.203’N 0°37.814’W
