Arrecife de las Sirenas

About Arrecife de las Sirenas

The Arrecife de las Sirenas, or Escollos de las Sirenas, is a group of rocky outcrops in the sea below the Faro de Cabo de Gata, at the southern tip of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. They are volcanic chimneys, the hardened conduits of old volcanoes; the nearby Cerro de Vela Blanca formed about 12 million years ago.

The classic view is from the Mirador de las Sirenas beside the lighthouse, with the stacks standing in clear water against the cliffs. Below are the remains of an old landing stage and a small white-sand cove covered at high tide. The name recalls the monk seals that once lived here, whose calls sailors took for mermaids. Snorkellers use the clear water around the reef.

The lookout is at the end of the AL-3115, which runs south from San Miguel de Cabo de Gata past the salt pans, with parking by the lighthouse. It is a few steps from the car, so easy for most visitors, including small children. Climbing down to the rocks is steep and not recommended. Access is free at all times.

Early morning and the hour before sunset give the best light; at midday in summer the parking fills and the glare is strong. Bring a mask if you plan to snorkel in calm weather.

Arrecife de las Sirenas in pictures

What you’ll find

• ViewpointSightseeingFree

Nearby places to visit

The long Playa de Cabo de Gata (7 km) runs along the shore beside the salt pans on the way in. On the other side of the sierra, reached by road via San José, are Playa de los Genoveses (7 km as the crow flies) and Playa de la Calilla (8 km). Golfers will find Alborán Golf (18 km) and the El Toyo Public Golf School (18 km) near Almería airport. Inland, the Tabernas Desert (40 km) is a landscape of eroded badlands, and the Cuevas de Sorbas (42 km) offer guided caving in gypsum. San Miguel de Cabo de Gata is the nearest village for food and drink.