Sa Dragonera: A Natural Treasure of the Mediterranean

From the sea, Sa Dragonera, with its long, craggy silhouette, is reminiscent of a dragon resting on the waters of southwest Mallorca. But behind its legendary shape, this small island of just 3.2 km² guards an epic history, marked by a youthful occupation, a failed urban development project and a citizens' victory that would forever change environmental awareness in the Balearics.

In 1977, at the height of the mass tourism boom, a development group planned to turn Sa Dragonera into a tourism complex with luxury hotels, a marina and housing developments. A paradise of biodiversity doomed to become concrete and asphalt. The response was swift. A group of young people, environmentalists and residents of Mallorca took over the island. They arrived in boats and settled among the ruins of the Llebeig lighthouse. There, they stood with banners, makeshift kitchens and a determination that would mark a turning point in the defence of the island.

The occupation lasted only a few days, but the message struck deep. Years later, in 1987, the Island Council of Mallorca took ownership of the island, and in 1995 Sa Dragonera was declared a Natural Park. Since then, it’s become one of the most valuable protected areas in the western Mediterranean. A haven of biodiversity, where nature sets the pace.

Exploring Sa Dragonera is like entering a serene world away from the hustle and bustle, no concrete in sight. The island remains virtually untouched, with no roads, no modern buildings and no cars. Its cliffs, caves and paths are home to a unique subspecies of Balearic lizard (Podarcis lilfordi gigliolii), impossible to find anywhere else in the world. Endangered birds such as the Balearic shearwater and Eleonora's falcon nest high above. And its waters are home to meadows of Posidonia oceanica seagrass, an essential underwater ecosystem that regulates CO₂, generates oxygen and protects beaches from erosion. Protecting it is not just a matter of aesthetics or culture: it’s vital for the health of the Mediterranean.

But Sa Dragonera also has remnants of human life. Its lighthouses, such as Na Pòpia, have watched over the horizon for centuries. Old lime kilns, Arab cisterns and ruins of small houses are dotted across the landscape. It was once a place of refuge for smugglers and shepherds; a setting for stories of the sea and resistance. Today, there are four hiking routes around the island: from the pier at Cala Lledó, there are paths leading to the Tramuntana and Llebeig lighthouses, and to the breathtaking viewpoint at Na Pòpia, 360 metres above sea level.

There are no bars, no shops and no crowds. Just nature, silence, the breeze and lizards. It’s an island to be appreciated, not consumed. From Sant Elm, you can get there by boat on a short but intense journey. The number of visitors allowed is limited and the rules are clear: no trespassing, no smoking, no picking flowers, no interfering with wildlife and no littering. The island invites contemplation and respect, which also makes it a unique tool for education.

The park actively manages educational programmes, citizen science workshops and activities for school children. Every year, hundreds of Mallorcan children learn to read the landscape, understand the breeze and identify seabirds. Environmental education is central to the park’s mission. As was artistic expression all those years ago: one of the occupiers in ‘77 was Miquel Barceló, who left his mark on the island and is still tied to its defence.

Thanks to its natural park status, Sa Dragonera has rescued species, curbed threats and strengthened its role as a symbol of sustainability. It’s one of the few Mediterranean islands where nature leads and tourism must follow.