Laguna de Rocha

Laguna de Rocha lies behind the dunes west of La Paloma, separated from the Atlantic by a sandbar that breaks open in storms and closes again, so the water shifts between fresh and brackish and the whole system changes with it. That instability is what makes it rich: black-necked swans, flamingos, coscoroba swans and large numbers of migrating shorebirds use it, and it is protected within the national protected areas system and a biosphere reserve.

What you'll find

• The sandbar - the barrier that opens and closes, changing the lagoon's salinity.
• The waterbirds - black-necked swans, flamingos and migrating shorebirds.
• The fishing settlement - the small artisanal fishery on the lagoon's bar.
• The dune system - the coastal dunes between lagoon and sea.

When to go

October to April is best for birds, with spring and autumn migration the peaks. The bar opening is unpredictable. Summer brings more visitors to the coast road.

Things to know

Access is on unsurfaced tracks that are difficult after rain. There are no hides or formal facilities. Bird numbers vary enormously depending on whether the bar is open.

Nearby

La Paloma is east, and Laguna Garzon is west.

Key facts