Prefer to go it alone?
Plan your next adventure
Tailor your own route along Tenerife’s trails quickly and easily..
Go to planner
Site of Scientific Interest
Sitio de Interés Científico del Tabaibal del Porís
Description
The TabaibaldelPorís Site of Scientific Interest occupies a small coastal strip between the motorway and the coast.
Recommended time to visit: All year round.
Geology
This flat malpaís landscape was formed by eruptions that reclaimed land from the sea, where waves have carved out the cliffs that can be seen today.
Furrowed by small, shallow ravines, the action of the sea and the wind have shaped this arid, semi-desert landscape, so characteristic of this coast.
Flora and fauna
The plant life here has adapted to the extreme conditions of aridity and salinity typical of the coastline of Tenerife. Species that thrive here include tabaibadulce (Euphorbia balsamifera), uvilla de mar (Tetraenafontanesii), tomillo de mar (Frankeniacapitata), salado (Schizogynesericea), southern boxthorn (Lyciumintricatum), ice plant (Mesembryanthemumcrystallinum), slenderleaficeplant (Mesembryanthemumnodiflorum), and lechuga de mar (Astydamialatifolia).
Of special note is the piña de mar (Atractylispreauxiana), an endangered plant endemic to Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
This species has been disappearing from this area due to an increase in tracks, debris and other uses. However, some specimens still survive on the strip of land near the coast and on the cliff sides and ledges.
Although they occur in lesser numbers here than in other places, such as El Acantilado de La Hondura or MontañaAmarilla, this is one of the few places on the island where you can see them.
Among the vertebrates, there are two reptile species: the Tenerife lizard and the Tenerife gecko.
The most numerous species, despite the extreme conditions, are the birds. Here you can see two endemic Macaronesian species, the Berthelot’s pipit and the plain swift, and other birds such as kestrels, yellow-legged gulls, chiffchaffs, hoopoes and spectacled warblers.
Technical information sheet
Surface area
48.6 ha (0.02% of the island).
Species of interest
Tabaibadulce (Euphorbia balsamifera), uvilla de mar (Tetraenafontanesii), tomillo de mar (Frankeniacapitata), salado (Schizogynesericea), southern boxthorn (Lyciumintricatum), ice plant (Mesembryanthemumcrystallinum), slenderleaficeplant (Mesembryanthemumnodiflorum), lechuga de mar (Astydamialatifolia), piña de mar (Atractylispreauxiana), Tenerife lizard, Tenerife gecko, Berthelot’s pipit, plain swift, Scopoli’s shearwater, kestrel, yellow-legged gull, chiffchaff, hoopoe, spectacled warbler.
Ecosystems
Tabaibal (Euphorbia), malpaís, cliff.
Regulations
To consult permits for use and updated regulations for this Protected Natural Area, visit the official website of the Government of the Canary Islands.
Municipalities
- Arico