Palm Islands Nature Reserve

Palm Islands, sometimes called Rabbit Islands, are three flat limestone islands a few kilometres off Tripoli, declared a reserve in 1992. They are an important stop on the bird migration route between Europe and Africa, loggerhead and green turtles nest on the sand, and Mediterranean monk seals have been recorded in the caves, one of the very few places in the eastern basin where they still are. Landing is only permitted in July and August to protect the nesting seasons.

What you actually see

• The largest island - Palm Island itself, the only one visitors may land on.
• The seabirds - migrating and nesting birds using the islands as a stop.
• The turtle beaches - loggerhead and green turtle nesting sand.
• The clear water - shallow sea over limestone around the islands.

When to go

Landing is permitted only in July and August, outside the main nesting and migration windows. Boat trips around the islands run from April to October. The sea is often too rough in winter.

Honest expectations

Access is genuinely restricted and visitors arriving outside July and August cannot land. There are no facilities on the islands, no shade and no water. Litter washed up from the mainland is a persistent problem.

Nearby

Tripoli is on the coast opposite, and Enfeh is south.