- Region: Valencian Community
- Province: Alicante
- Declared a Natural Park: 1988
- Park surface area: 2,387 hectares
- Towns and villages: Elche, Crevillente, San Felipe Neri
Points of interest
El Hondo Natural Park (Parc Natural del Fondo in Valencian) is formed by a number of lagoons with the two largest manmade (Levante at 450 hectares and Poniente at 650 hectares).
Fed by the waters of the rivers Segura and Vinalopó, the protecetd area is included in the Ramsar convention list of protected wetlands and as a Special Protection Area under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.
Various aquatic species exist in the lagoons such as eel, grey mullet, fresh water shrimp and the endemic Spanish toothcarp. However, most people visit this area to observe the birdlife with species recorded such as marbled duck, white-headed duck (two of the largest worldwide populations). Herons are also present in good numbers during the breeding season particularly purple heron, night heron and squacco heron. Other species present are avocet, black-winged stilt, collared pratincole, crested coot, European penduline tit, moustached warbler, osprey and marsh harrier.
The area was made even more popular to birdwatchers due to an Estonia-born greater spotted eagle wearing a transmitter wintering in the park and its surroundings in 2008 and 2009.
Find a hotel close to El Fondo Natural Park
Booking.comInformation/Visitors Centers
Centro de Visitantes del Parc Natural El Fondo
Finca El Rincón
Azarbe de Afuera s/n
03158 San Felipe Neri – Crevillent
The visitor center of the El Hondo Natural Park is located in the municipality of Crevillent, very close to the hamlet of San Felipe Neri. The center offers visitors a loan service for optical equipment, has a good collection of field guides and a wildlife library
The official website for the El Fondo Natural Park is here: https://parquesnaturales.gva.es/es/web/pn-el-fondo/centro-visitantes
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!
Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain.