Salinas de la Tapa y Marivélez

The Salinas de la Tapa y Marivélez are located in El Puerto de Santa María. This is one of the few salt mines remaining in production and it is operated by the Unión Salinera de España. It is the most extensive in the Bahía de Cádiz Nature Reserve, with a long and rich history as well as being home to an important population of water fowl. Although a visit to the Salinas de la Tapa y Marivélez is normally undertaken in a vehicle and on foot, there is also a circular route which can be completed on foot or by bicycle.

Visits are organised by the Coto de la Isleta Centre for Environmental Education and Countryside Activities, and enable the discovery of the different areas, how it works and its history. Undoubtedly the most interesting activity is watching the bird and animal life, you'll be able to observe flamingos, fish eagles, ducks, plovers, avocets, terns, black-winged stilts, cormorants, etc.

The visit includes a series of stops in places where the guides set up a number of experiences adapted to age of visitors.

Other information

The duration of this activity is from 1.5 to 4 hours although the “standard” visit lasts 2 hours. The specific objectives are: Understanding the workings of the Bahía de Cádiz salt pans and the salt formation process. Discovering that the salt pans are an ecosystem of great ecological, ethnographic, historic and socio-economic value, so their preservation is essential. Understanding the importance of the Salina de La Tapa as a nesting site and wintering location for many species of birds, some of which are threatened.