Tunisia. Adventures in the Zembra Reserve

Off the north-east coast of Tunisia, reached from El Haouaria, a short distance from Cape Bon, lies the Zembra Island National Park, an unspoilt protected area and a true marine sanctuary in the Mediterranean. Its vertiginous cliffs, its rocky inlets, its hilly backdrops in the centre of the island, and above all its remote location and sparse human presence mean that this periphyte in the middle of the sea is coveted and inhabited by colonies of shearwaters, Corsican and herring gulls, and peregrine falcons. Snorkelling here is an exceptional experience because of the immeasurable beauty of a marine ecosystem in which groupers, giltheads and octopuses live. Marine mammals can also be spotted, including many dolphins and even the Mediterranean monk seal. Thyme, rosemary and juniper carpet the hinterland. Named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Zembra can be explored on guided tours and boat excursions (Basma Voyages is a reliable tour operator). It is also possible to reach the neighbouring island of Zembretta, which is a miniature of its big sister in terms of the richness of its seabed.