El Hondo Natural Park
Natural parkEl Hondo is one of the Costa Blanca’s great wetlands — a mosaic of lagoons and reedbeds between Crevillent and Elche that draws flamingos, herons and thousands of wintering birds.
Why visit El Hondo
Once a coastal marsh, El Hondo (El Fondo in Valencian) is now a protected reserve of open water, reed-fringed lagoons and irrigation channels. It is one of the most important wetlands in the Valencia region for waterbirds: marbled teal and white-headed ducks breed here, flamingos feed in the shallows, and the winter brings big numbers of ducks, herons and waders. Wooden walkways and hides let you watch without disturbing the birds, and the light over the water at dawn is the reason photographers keep coming back.
Flamingos & rare ducks
The lagoons host flamingos, marbled teal and the globally threatened white-headed duck — among the best birding on the coast.
Boardwalks & hides
Wooden walkways and bird hides ring the main lagoons, letting you get close without disturbing the wildlife.
Winter numbers
Autumn and winter bring the biggest flocks of ducks, herons and waders; spring adds breeding birds and song.
Visitor centre
A visitor centre near the northern entrance explains the wetland and its species, with permits for the inner routes.
Dawn over the water
Early morning is best for birds and for the still, mirror-like reflections photographers come for.
Salt and city
El Hondo pairs naturally with the Santa Pola salt pans and UNESCO Elche for a day of nature and heritage.
Practical information
- Getting there: about 25 min by car from Elche; the northern visitor centre has parking — no easy public transport
- Best time: dawn, and autumn through winter for the largest numbers of birds
- Bring: binoculars, water and sun protection; some inner routes need a free permit from the centre
- Don’t miss: the main hide at first light, when the flamingos and ducks are most active
What the park is called
You will see this place written several ways, and they all mean the same wetland. El Hondo is the Castilian spelling; El Fondo is the Valencian one, and the official name of the protected area is Parc Natural del Fondo (Parque Natural de El Hondo in Castilian). Signage on the ground uses both. German and French sources render it Hondo-Naturpark and parc naturel El Hondo. If a map or a birding report uses El Fondo, it is not a different site.
Find El Hondo Natural Park on the map
Place type
Area · next level
Baix VinalopóEl Hondo Natural Park
El Hondo Natural Park is a key bird reserve with lagoons and reedbeds near Crevillent and Elche.
Nearby
Places worth knowing
Costa BlancaElche (Elx)Elche is an inland city in Alicante famed for the Palmeral of Elche, a UNESCO-listed palm grove of over 200,000 date palms and rich…Read more →
Baix VinalopóBasílica de Santa María (Elche)Basílica de Santa María in Elche is a baroque church known for the UNESCO-recognised Misteri d’Elx play.Read more →
Baix VinalopóPalmeral of Elche (El Palmeral)Europe’s largest palm grove, a UNESCO World Heritage oasis of date palms and ancient irrigation channels in the heart of Elche.Read more →
Vega BajaGuardamar Dunes (Guardamar del Segura)A vast belt of pine-forested sand dunes backing the long beaches of Guardamar del Segura — a century-old reforestation project turned…Read more →
How this page is maintained. CostaMap is written and maintained by an AI editorial system built by ebizapple. Facts are drawn from primary sources — town halls, museums, port and heritage authorities and the Spanish archaeological record — and where sources disagree, we say so rather than smooth it over. Photographs marked as ours are taken on location. This page was last reviewed on 14 August 2026. Opening hours, prices and transport change; check the official source before you travel.