Named after a barrier reef (arrecife barrera) of coral because of a similar appearance, this site is colonised by the phanerogam posidonia oceanica, a marine plant endemic in the Mediterranean. The meadow of posidonia oceanica provides a habitat for more than 800 animal and plant species, as well as being a breeding ground for many different types of fish.

Ten kilometres east of the industrial port of Adra is this small wetland reserve of 217ha on the Mediterranean coast, a wildlife oasis in an area of intensive agriculture. It is comprised of intertidal marshes and a series of permanent coastal lagoons (albuferas) of varying depths and degrees of salinity, which have been created by a former river delta of the Río Adra.

The Isla de Alborán is situated in the Mediterranean sea 48km from the port of Adra on the Almeria coast and 39km from the Spanish enclave of Melilla on the African coast. The protected area covers the island itself and a band of sea around it. It is noteworthy for its rich marine life, which includes one of the most threatened marine species in the Mediterranean, the limpet patella ferrunginea, as well as bottle-nose dolphins and several species of coral.

Southwest of the coastal resort Roquetas del Mar is a 15km-long strip of protected coastline, the Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Area and Reserve. Like Albufera de Adra Natural Reserve along the coast, this is a wildlife haven encircled by a sea of plastic from the intensive agriculture that surrounds it. Even in the height of summer the beach is often deserted and its isolation makes it an ideal spot for birdwatching.

Like the nearby Desierto de Tabernas Natural Area, this is a dramatically eroded lunar landscape of semi-arid desert covering 2,375ha, designated a protected area in 1989. It is also Spain's most important karst landscape composed of gypsum (yeso), and one of the best examples of its kind in the world.

These two volcanic islets close to the Almeria coastline are an important breeding site for the European storm petrel and Cory's shearwater. Measuring 11,150m², the steep-sided Isla de Terreros is the largest of a series of small, rocky islands located along the coastline of Almeria. It is 700m from the shore, while the smaller Isla Negra (6,015m²) is only 50m from the mainland.

Within this 567ha reserve are two lakes, Laguna de Montellano and Laguna de Jeli, which together make up a core protected area of 49ha. Montellano lake is situated on impermeable clay and Jeli on impermeable loam.

Just west of Tarifa is this magnificent 3km-long beach, the Playa de los Lances, 226ha of which is protected. The fine white sands are backed by a low ridge of dunes and the marshlands of the Jara and Vega rivers. These rivers run parallel to the beach and have created two lagoons, the Jeli and Montellano.

The 58ha Marismas del Río Palmones Natural Area is one of the last remaining patches of what used to be extensive marshlands (marismas) in the Bahía de Algerciras, the bay between Algeciras and Gibraltar. From the early 1970s onwards, increasing industrial and housing development encroached upon the marismas of the Palmones and Guadarranque rivers.

Within the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park is this 525ha protected area, noted for its important wetlands which are a site for migrating birds. It also has saltpans. Like the park area, the birdlife is outstanding for its wintering waterfowl and seabirds. The best times to visit are in winter and during migration times.

The smallest natural area in Andalucia with a mere 27ha, the Guadiaro river estuary is nevertheless an important wetland site, since it is one of the few left on the Costa del Sol. It is also the only wetland site for 100km between the estuaries of the Guadalhorce river near Malaga and the Palmones river just north of Algeciras.

Just northeast of the Cola del Embalse de Arcos Natural Area, is the Embalse de Bornos, which has its northeastern arm designated as a 630ha protected area. It is similar in flora and fauna to the Embalse de Arcos.

This embalse (reservoir), close to the hilltop town of Arcos de la Frontera, is worth a visit for its waterfowl, particularly in winter when there are many more birds here. It is also a stopping place for migratory birds. The area covers 120ha and includes the reservoir and small surrounding area.

The Cárcavas de Marchal Natural Monument is a spectacularly eroded clay massif covering 5.2ha. For many years people have been carving out caves in the Cárcavas de Marchal for habitation. Located some 55km east of Granada city, Marchal is south of Purullena, off the A92 motorway.

These magnificent waterfalls, Los Infiernos, are located just outside Loja on the Genil river and cover an area of 2.5ha. Apart from its diverse plant, bird and animal species, this stretch of river is also noteworthy for its geological features, where the river has dramatically eroded the limestone landscape to create a series of rapids and the waterfalls themselves.

The only cave open to visitors in Granada province, the 1.2km-long limestone Cueva de las Ventanas is situated 45km north of Granada and just east of Piñar village, on the road to Bogarre. The Cueva de las Ventanas (Cave of the Windows) is named after the three large opening of the cave that serve as both an entry and exit.

South of Granda, on the western edge of the Sierra Nevada National Park, is the Falla de Nigüelas. Here, it's possible to see how a fault line (falla) caused a massive landslide during the Quarternary period. The Falla itself covers 7.6ha.

On the southern edge of the Sierra Castril Natural Park is this spectacular and exceptional rocky outcrop, the Peña de Castril, which looms large over the whitewashed houses of Castril village. Covering a mere 3.52ha, the rocky crag has the remains of a Medieval castle, which has had its towers and walls recently restored, and unsurpassed views over the countryside around Castril.

In the foothills of the Sierra Almijara on Granada's Costa Tropical is the seaside resort of Almuñécar, with a dramatic coastline of plunging cliff faces, secluded coves with beaches tucked away between steep cliffs and a smattering of jagged Peñónes (rocky outcrops) just off Almuñécar beach.

The Tajos de Mogarejo Natural Monument consists of steep cliffs up to 30m high, which used to be a quarry. The materials from this were used in the construction of Seville cathedral. The Tajos are near the village of Montellano, on the A376 near the Cadiz provincial border.