At its narrowest, the Strait of Gibraltar separates Europe and Africa by just 14 km. For soaring birds such as eagles, vultures and storks, which rely on rising warm air and avoid long sea crossings, it is the natural route between their European breeding grounds and African wintering areas. Every year, several hundred thousand raptors and storks funnel across it, making the area around Tarifa in southern Spain one of the world’s great migration watchpoints.
At a glance
| Best time | August to October (autumn); February to May (spring) |
| Getting there | Tarifa is about 1.5 hours from Málaga airport and 30 minutes from Gibraltar |
| Time needed | 3 to 5 days |
| Big draws | Raptors, storks, whales and dolphins |
| Good for | Birders, photographers, families |
The migration
- Black kites: the most numerous raptor, crossing in huge numbers from late July to September.
- Honey buzzards: tens of thousands in late August and early September.
- Short-toed eagles and booted eagles: large numbers in September.
- White storks: tens of thousands, especially in August. See our white stork profile.
- Black storks, griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, Montagu’s harriers, ospreys and even rare vultures such as Rüppell’s. See our griffon vulture and osprey profiles.
Where to watch
- Cazalla observatory: just east of Tarifa, often the best site in easterly winds.
- Algarrobo: a viewpoint west of Algeciras, good in westerly winds.
- Punta Carnero and the Rock of Gibraltar for seabirds and raptors.
- La Janda: former wetlands and farmland near Tarifa, excellent for cranes, storks and raptors in winter and on migration.
Wind direction strongly affects where birds cross. Local birding groups such as Fundación Migres monitor the migration and share updates.
Whales and dolphins
The Strait is also rich in cetaceans. Boat trips from Tarifa find common, striped and bottlenose dolphins year-round, pilot whales, sperm whales (spring and summer) and orcas that follow bluefin tuna (July and August). See our orca profile.
When to go
- Late July to September: black kites, honey buzzards and storks.
- September to October: eagles, vultures and harriers; excellent variety.
- February to May: the spring return, less concentrated but still impressive.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the raptor migration? Late August to late September, for the greatest numbers and variety.
Where is the best viewpoint? Cazalla near Tarifa in easterly winds, Algarrobo in westerlies.
Can I see whales at Tarifa? Yes, dolphins year-round, pilot whales often, and orcas in July and August.
Do I need a guide? Not essential, but local guides help you find the best viewpoints for the day’s wind.
Related guides
- Birding in Extremadura and Monfragüe
- The Camargue: flamingos, white horses and wetlands
- Danube Delta birding guide
- Animal profiles: White stork, Griffon vulture, Osprey
Cover photo: Zeynel Cebeci, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons