The climate is Mediterranean sub desert and average annual temperatures are around 20°C, the average sea temperature is 17.7°C and the area receives approximately 3,000 hours of sun a year with just 100mm of rain in an average year. Due to the lack of good roads, its sub desert character this are has remained largely undeveloped, there are no real towns, just a scattering of villages.

San José is a small fishing village set in a small cove with a sandy beach, rocks rising at both sides and crystal clear waters. San Jose now boasts two ports, one for fishing and one for sports and a small number of chalets and apartments have sprung up to cater for the increasing number of visitors and new residents who have `discovered´ it´s charms. Los Escullos has a campsite and with its good if rather pebbly beach. Las Negras is situated in a beautiful cove with spectacular scenery and beaches within walkind distance. Isleta del Moro was until recently a small fishing village, now like other villages in the Natural Park it has seen many holiday homes built. This is contentious but not surprising due to the eagerness of developers to exploit this extremely beautiful area.

Agua Amarga is the last stop before the Parque Natural’s northern boundary and is a delightful little fishing village cut of from the surrounding world by a long road. The attractive collection of whitewashed houses stand out against the intense blue of the sea.