Espacio marino del norte de La Palma

Espacio Marino del Norte de La Palma is a vast marine area encircling the northern half of La Palma island in the Canary Islands, including the coastline of the Garafía municipality. Covering nearly 392 square kilometers, it ranks among the larger protected marine zones in the archipelago. The area combines steep, jagged cliffs that plunge directly into the Atlantic with a narrow, rocky seabed shelf riddled with cracks, caves, and underwater tunnels.

Why was this area protected?

The Garafía coastline is one of the least altered stretches of shoreline on La Palma — raw volcanic cliffs drop straight into the ocean, forming a natural refuge for seabird colonies. It was precisely because of these birds that the area was granted ZEPA status (Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves, Special Protection Area for Birds) in 2014, under an order dated July 9 of that year designating special bird protection zones in Spanish marine waters. In addition, a section of the coast known as Costa de Garafía has been protected as a Special Conservation Zone (ZEC) under the Natura 2000 network since September 2011, covering a coastal strip of more than 3,475 hectares along the municipalities of Garafía and Barlovento.

What species live here?

The cliffs of northern La Palma serve as breeding grounds for several seabird species of high conservation value: Bulwer's petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), and the little shearwater (Puffinus baroli/assimilis). These birds nest in rocky crevices and recesses, relying on the terrain's inaccessibility as natural protection from predators. Other species are regularly spotted along the coast as well, including the common tern (Sterna hirundo) and the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), which forage in the coastal waters.

Underwater, the landscape is just as wild: the scarce rocky shelf quickly gives way to steep, uneven seabeds full of fissures and caves, supporting rich biodiversity. This environment is considered a well-preserved habitat for species of fishing interest, with fishing controls in place aimed at helping their populations recover.

What should you know before visiting?

This is primarily a natural space rather than a conventional tourist attraction with built infrastructure — its value lies in the untouched character of the coastline and the chance to observe wildlife from a safe distance, such as from cliff-top viewpoints or during boat trips along the shore. The ruggedness of the terrain — sheer rock walls and a scarcity of gentle access points to the water — means direct access to the shoreline can be difficult, which has paradoxically helped keep this stretch of coast in an almost pristine state.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is this area located? It stretches along the northern coast of La Palma, covering coastal land within the Garafía municipality and neighboring Barlovento.

What's the difference between ZEPA and ZEC status? ZEPA protects seabirds and their breeding habitats, while ZEC (Natura 2000) covers broader protection of coastal and marine habitats — the two designations partially overlap along this coastline.

Can seabirds be seen from land? Yes, several species are regularly observed along the shoreline, although the breeding colonies themselves are tucked into hard-to-reach cliff crevices.

Is this area protected from fishing? Fishing activity is controlled here to support the recovery of species of commercial fishing interest, in line with marine biodiversity conservation goals.