MARINE PROTECTED AREA
SA DRAGONERA
MARINE PROTECTED AREA
SA DRAGONERA
SA DRAGONERA
The island of Sa Dragonera is the continuation of the Serra de Tramuntana. The southern end of this sinks into the Balearic Sea to re-emerge at Cap Llebeig, in Dragonera. Both portions of land are divided by the Freu, a very narrow and shallow channel. Due to its location, the regime of marine currents and its characteristic winds, it is an area with a great diversity of habitats and species, both terrestrial and marine. This fact makes this island one of the points of greatest environmental relevance in the Balearic Islands.
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Thanks to the ecological movement started in the 70s, the occupation and the persistent mobilizations of the citizens, the island was not urbanized and was finally declared a Natural Park in 1995.
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The island is drawn on the western horizon and its silhouette resembles a sleeping dragon: this is, inescapably, its identity element. Paradoxically, it has been documented that the origin of the name 'Sa Dragonera' is not due to the simile with the legendary figure, but that it comes from the Latin 'traconaria', which refers to the use of caves for the provision of fresh water in old navigation routes.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Boat
During the summer months the passenger ship Margarita crosses from Sant Elm to Dragonera and back
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The "Visit Sa Dragonera" runs all year from Andratx with Carlo Mar Nautic
Kayak / Paddle Board
Park Opening Hours
From May 1st to October 30th: Mo-Fri, from 10:00 to 16:30. Sat-Sun, from 10:00 to 18:00
From November 1st to April 30th: 10:00 to 14:30
Park Activities
You can rent a kayak at Keida Kayak Sant Elm
REGULATIONS IN THE AREA
REGULATIONS AT SEA
The waters around Sa Dragonera are protected by a Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest and are divided into two strips:
The strip of inland waters, between Sa Dragonera and the coast of Mallorca, called Es Freu de Sa Dragonera Marine Reserve is under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Balearic Islands (GOIB) which approved its creation in 2016. For more information, check the website:
www.caib.es/sites/reservesmarines/es/descripcian
The strip of external waters, called Illa Sa Dragonera Marine Reserve, was declared in 2020 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), as it includes national waters. This strip has 82 ha of integral reserve where no activity is allowed except for scientific monitoring. Included in the integral reserve are five areas of restricted use where you can swim and dive (diving requires authorization). For more information check the website: www.mapa.gob.es/es/pesca/temas/proteccion-recursos-pesqueros/reservas-marinas-de-espana/isla-dragonera
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RESTRICTED​
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Professional fishing: (only artisanal fishing is allowed)
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Recreational fishing
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Diving
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Scientific activities
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Nautical activities/ anchoring
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NOT ALLOWED
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Spearfishing
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Foraging for flora and wildlife extraction
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REGULATIONS ON PROFESSIONAL FISHING
Marine reserves of fishing interest have as their first objective the preservation of traditional fishing arts, that is why activities are regulated to be able to allow the species of fishing interest to improve their size and density and, thus, the artisanal fleet have fishing resources secured. Six artisanal boats are allowed to fish in the waters of Sa Dragonera (Germans Torres, Macarena, Poner, Reme Toni Tercer, Scrat, Sito Primer). For more details consult the legislation: https://caib.es/sites/reservesmarines/es/normativa_sobre_la_reserva/
More information about the regulations of activities in the reserve here: https://caib.es/sites/reservesmarines/es/regulacian_de_actividades/
REGULATIONS ON RECREATIONAL FISHING
A single recreational angler doesn't make much of an impact, but the group of anglers does. Help us achieve sustainable fishing! The "Quadern de Pesca Recreativa de les Illes Baleares", published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Food of the GOIB, informs about the regulations for recreational fishing. If you are a recreational fisherman and you fish from a boat, you are required to record your catches.
You have 2 possibilities:
Download and fill in the "Activity registration" of the area where you are planning to fish.
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Download the app for the recreational fishing from a boat:
Click here to request
DIVING REGULATIONS
Diving is regulated in the marine reserve. It is allowed throughout the reserve (inland and external waters), including the areas of restricted use and excluding the areas designated as an integral reserve (see map here).
Click here to ask for a diving permit: https://www.caib.es/seucaib/es/tramites/tramite/106992
REGULATIONS IN SA DRAGONERA AND THE ISLETS
The Natural Park of sa Dragonera includes the island of sa Dragonera, the islets of Es Pantaleu and Sa Mitjana and Els Calafats rock formation. The complex is of great importance for its biological, ecological and landscape aspects.
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Thanks to the ecological movement started in the 70s, the island was not urbanized and was declared a Natural Park in 1995, after several occupations and the persistent mobilization of the public. Sa Dragonera Natural Park is a shared responsibility of the GOIB and the Consell de Mallorca. For more information see:
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Click here to check all the Park rules.
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THE NATURA 2000 NETWORK
The waters of Sa Dragonera are part of the Natura 2000 Network, which is an international network of biodiversity conservation of areas that constitute the main instrument for the preservation of nature in the European Union. Areas with great potential to restore and conserve habitats and ecosystems are designated, including their diversity of fauna and flora.
In particular the Sa Dragonera has a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and a Site of Community Interest (SCI), both protection categories of the Natura 2000 Network.