Palm Islands Nature Reserve

Coming from the south, one can make out a group of islands situated off the coast of Tripoli-Al Mina. After an enjoyable 30-minute boat ride from al-Mina, one reaches the blue waters of the islands furthest to the west. Sanani (4 ha) Ramkine (1.6 ha) and palm Island (20 ha) together with 500m of their surrounding sea, make up the Palm Islands Nature Reserve. Established in 1992, the Reserve has been designated a Mediterranean Specially Protected Area under the Barcelona Convention, an Important Bird Area IBA by Bird Life International, as well as Wetland of Special International Importance. The sandy beaches of the islands are of global importance as an egg-laying site for the marine turtles whose nests have increased from 3 in 1997 to 31 in 1999. The highly endangered Mediterranean monk seals still visit the islands and may one day become re-established there.

Under the waves, rare sea sponges and all types of fish are making a comeback. Palm Island commonly known as Rabbit Island featured a large population of rabbits, introduced there in the late 50’s. The rabbits had to be removed, since they ate the many rare plants that survive in this salty environment and the newly planted palm trees.
Today, the islands have no inhabitants, but on Palm Island, fragments of pottery, a freshwater well, old Salinas and the remains of a church built at the times of the Crusaders are evidence of past periods of human occupation.

Ramkine Island contains cannon emplacements and underground galleries built early this century and an old lighthouse, fitted recently with solar power.
Parts of the Reserve are open for swimming and snorkeling during the summer months, but the remainder year, it remains a quiet haven for wildlife. Thanks to the conservation measures, the islands explode in bloom again in spring, offer a nesting and resting area to local and migratory birds away from disturbance and pollution, and protect the fish stocks for generations of fishermen.