Grosa Island

Grosa Island (Isla Grosa) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, belonging to the municipality of San Javier in the Region of Murcia, at a distance of 2.5 kilometers from the north of La Manga del Mar Menor. It has an area of ​​17.5 hectares and exceeds an altitude of 90 meters.

Grosa Island (Isla Grosa) and the islet of Farallón (at the east of Grosa island), like the islands of the Mar Menor, are remains of the quaternary volcanism that took place in the entire Country of Cartagena area between 7.2 and 6.6 million years ago, during the Miocene .

The island forms a perfect volcanic cone, but quite eroded like most Murcian volcanoes. (Source: Wikipedia)

Although Isla Grosa is called part of the group of islands of the Mar Menor, that island is outside the Mar Menor.

Until 2000, it belonged to the Spanish army (training of special combat diver and explosives disposal units ). Since then it belongs to the Region of Murcia and is a center for the protection of flora and fauna (especially birds). Its waters are protected and they are a very interesting diving destination. 

The island was a refuge for pirates until the 18th century.