Oyambre Natural Park

Oyambre Natural Park stretches along the western coast of Cantabria, covering land within the municipalities of Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera, Udías, Valdáliga and Val de San Vicente. Established in 1988, this protected area spans nearly 5,800 hectares and ranks among the most valuable stretches of the Cantabrian coastline.

How was the park created?

The park's creation followed years of pressure from environmental groups and local residents, who since the 1970s had opposed development projects threatening the region's dunes and beaches. That sustained pressure eventually led to formal protection of the area, preserving a coastal landscape that has remained largely untouched.

What can you see in the park?

The landscape of Oyambre is shaped mainly by the estuaries of the San Vicente and La Rabia rivers and their surrounding areas — a textbook example of a Cantabrian coastal ecosystem. Alongside these tidal inlets and marshes, the park contains cliffs, meadows and forests of native broadleaf trees. Its dune systems stand out in particular: together with those of the Dunas de Liencres Natural Park, they are considered among the most significant on the entire Cantabrian coast.

Within the park lies Monte Corona, an extensive forested area close to the shoreline, along with two large, wild-looking beaches: Oyambre beach and Merón beach, both known for their untouched character.

What wildlife lives in the park?

Oyambre holds considerable ornithological importance, with birds concentrated mainly around the river estuaries and marshes, where they find favorable conditions for feeding and resting during migration. The variety of habitats — from salt marshes to forests and dunes — makes the park home to numerous species of water and wading birds, turning it into a notable spot for birdwatching in the region.

Why visit Oyambre?

The park brings together several distinct landscapes within a very short distance of one another — wild beaches and dunes, cliffs, forests and marshland. That combination appeals both to visitors interested in long walks and nature observation and to those simply looking for quieter, less crowded beaches along the Cantabrian coast. Its proximity to the towns of Comillas and San Vicente de la Barquera makes it easy to reach and to combine a visit with exploring the surrounding area.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Oyambre Natural Park located? On the western coast of Cantabria, within the municipalities of Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera, Udías, Valdáliga and Val de San Vicente.

When was the park established? The park was formally created on October 26, 1988.

Which beaches lie within the park? The best known are Oyambre beach and Merón beach, both large and wild in character.

What sets this park apart from other protected areas in Cantabria? Its combination of river estuaries, cliffs, broadleaf forests and dune systems, ranked among the most important on the Cantabrian coast alongside the dunes of Dunas de Liencres.