Arrecife de las Sirenas and the cape lighthouse

At the southern tip of the park, the road ends at the Cabo de Gata lighthouse, built on the rock above a group of volcanic dykes that the sea has eaten back into spires. They are called the Sirens' Reef because monk seals used to haul out on them, and their barking carried up the cliff.

The viewpoint is a railed terrace a few steps from the parking area — no walk, no ticket, wheelchair-friendly. From it the spires sit below and slightly to the west, which means the sun sets almost behind them: put your subjects on the terrace rail and you get silhouettes against orange water, or turn them to face the low sun for warm side light with the sea behind.

Morning is the opposite and worth knowing about: the sun comes from behind you, the reef goes bright ochre against deep blue, and the water is usually calmer.

It is a headland with no shade and permanent wind. The terrace fills for sunset even out of season, and there is very little space, so a session here means arriving early and working quickly. A second viewpoint a little back up the road gives the lighthouse itself with the coast running north.