Wondering what secrets lie just a short distance north of Formentera? That is Illa de s’Espardell. This minor island in the Balearic Islands holds a unique charm. Illa de s’Espardell belongs to the municipality of Formentera. It is part of the natural park of Ses Salines.
Illa de s’Espardell stretches about 1570 meters from north to south. It covers a surface area of 0.48 square kilometers. The island is located approximately 4 kilometers east of Espalmador. The smaller islet of Espardelló lies just 100 meters southeast of Illa de s’Espardell. Interestingly both names are diminutives. They refer to the esparto plant.
The coastline of Illa de s’Espardell is rugged. Cliffs dominate its perimeter. However a small cove called Mollet exists on the eastern side. At the northern tip stands the Espardell lighthouse. This tower reaches a height of 53 meters. On the western coast, remnants of a Muslim-era defense tower can be found.
Anchoring is strictly prohibited around Illa de s’Espardell. It is a nature reserve. This highlights the island’s significant ecological importance.
The island features a relatively flat surface. The highest point reaches about 30 meters. It is locally known as Es Cocons de s’Espardell. Geologically Illa de s’Espardell is calcareous. The western coastline is composed of mares. These mares rise up to 14 meters. They are the result of compacted limestone. They also contain fragments of marine organisms. The remainder of the island is covered by a calcareous crust. This crust forms due to salinization. Evaporation of the substrate of mares causes it.
This calcareous composition has led to the formation of significant caves. The Cova de s’Almànguena faces east. It is also known as Cova des Corb Marí. Another notable cave is Sa Sitja.
Illa de s’Espardell is home to the same subspecies of lizards found in Formentera. These are the Podarcis pityusensis sbsp. formenterae. It also hosts important colonies of seabirds. These include Audouin’s gull. It also includes the European shag and Balearic shearwater.
Historically the people of Formentera used Illa de s’Espardell for fishing. They also harvested eggs from gulls there. They practiced virotar there. Virotar is a local method of hunting seabirds.
Though off-limits to tourism, Illa de s’Espardell embodies the fragile beauty of the Pitiusas Islands’ marine ecosystems. It reminds us of the importance of conservation. The island is unspoiled. It has only a lighthouse. It also has the remains of a defense tower. These stand as silent witnesses to the island’s past.