Skip to main content

Marine reserves

Marine reserves are protected areas through which the use and exploitation of the marine environment are regulated, with the aim of enhancing the natural regeneration of resources and conserving the most representative marine ecosystems.

The Menorca marine reserve was “created” on 24 June 1999 through BOIB number 81 (yes, on the day of Sant Joan!).

This is an area off the north coast of Menorca where fishing is prohibited or strictly regulated and controlled. Thanks to this, marine life has flourished over the years, creating a spectacular landscape for anyone who chooses to go snorkelling. In the north of Menorca it is easy to spot species such as moray eels, groupers, octopuses and red mullets.

The reserve extends over 5,119 hectares of sea stretching from the Bay of Fornells (eastern boundary) to Cap Gros (western boundary).

According to official figures, there are 628 benthic species in the reserve, which spans 5,119 hectares of sea. The reserve is divided into 3 zones.

ZONE A: This covers the area between Pla de Mar and Cala Barril. It is the fully protected integral reserve zone with the highest level of protection, where all forms of spearfishing and the removal of marine flora and fauna are prohibited. The 4 coordinates that mark out the zone are as follows:

1 – The intersection of the coastline with the meridian 04º 01′ 42″E (Cala Barril)
2 – 40º 04′ 31″ N 04º 01′ 42″ E
3 – 40º 04′ 18″ N 03º 58′ 06″ E
4 – The intersection of the coastline with the meridian 03º 58′ 06″E (El Pla de Mar)

ZONE B: This covers the area to the south-east of the Bay of Fornells as far as the headland of Ses Salines. Spearfishing is prohibited except in cases authorised by the Directorate-General for Fisheries. The 3 coordinates that mark out the zone are as follows:

1 – The intersection of the coastline with the parallel 40º 04′ 00″ N
2 – 40º 02′ 37″ N 04º 08′ 00″ E
3 – The intersection of the coastline with the meridian 04º 07′ 29″ E (Ses Salines headland)

ZONE C: This covers the rest of the marine reserve. Spearfishing is prohibited, although there are some exceptions.

The beaches within the reserve are distinguished according to the protection zone in which they lie. Zone A is the most protected, and Zone C is the least protected. These are the beaches located within the north coast reserve. All of them are good options for snorkelling.

More information on the website of the Govern de les Illes Balears.

ZONE A ZONE B
Macar d’Alfurinert Cala Mica Cal´d’en Sintes
Cala Pilar Cala Torta Caló Alfurinet
Cala Moragues Cala Viola de Ponent Cala Pregonda
Cala en Calderer Cala Viola de LLevant Cala Binimel·la
Cala Barril Cala Tirant Cala Cavalleria
39° 53' 46'' N - 4° 15' 23'' E
Sa Colàrsega, s/n - Port of Maó
07701, Maó - Menorca
Balearic Islands - Spain

© 2026 Marina Menorca

Legal notice

Privacy policy