Isla Canela
General Information
Isla Canela is a natural island at the mouth of the River Guadiana. It is seperated from the town of Ayamonte by a river and is linked via a bridge.
The name Canela means cinnamon and originates from the cinnamon traders that settled on the island and traded from the ports at Punta del Moral and Barriada de Canela. Torre Canela, the watch tower pictured below, was erected in the seventeenth century to provide an early warning system against pirate attacks on the traders.
The Island occupies over 1700 hectares. Much of the land mass consists of Marismas del Guadiana, marshland which is home to an abundance of wildlife. There are many navigable waterways on the island and over 40% is a protected wildlife sanctuary.
The widespread development of Canela was given the green light in 1993. The original plan allows for over 1000 hectares to be developed but less than 600 will actually be built on. The planners have allowed for low rise buildings with a low density of development, two 18 hole golf courses, two marinas, leisure and sporting facillites.
Isla Canela has four distinct areas, Barriada de Canela, Punta del Moral, Playa de Isla Canela and Isla Canela Campo de Golf. Punta del Moral is very close to Isla Cristina and seperated only by a short stretch of navigable waterway but there is no road or ferry link between the two.
The Island was first settled by fisherman and traders in the villages of Punta del Moral and Barriada de Canela. Punta del Moral is a thriving community and still occupied by local fisherman, with locally caught fresh fish served in a number of restaurants in the old village.
Punta del Moral has been developed with a new marina on the beach side across the river from the old village. The new marina and beach area have a number hotels and apartment buildings as well as a commercial centre with bars and restaurants.
Pictured below is Punta del Moral beach with the old village to the right of the Marina and the Hotel Riu Atlantico in the forefront.
Barriada de Canela is the small village seen to right as you cross the bridge from Ayamonte. The village sits on the River Guadiana directly opposite Vila Real de San Antonio on the Portugese side. A little off the beaten tourist track but well worth a visit to see the fantastic sunsets over Portugal.
This traditional fishing village has been pretty much untouched by development until very recently. Barriada de Canela is now seeing extensive investment from the regional government in the infrastructure & social housing. There are also commercial housing developments in the village taking place.
The beach at Punta del Moral is connected to Canela Beach, Playa de Isla Canela, making a total of 7 km of beach. The Canela Beach area has also been widely developed with villas, low-rise apartment blocks and one hotel. The area also has a number of bars, restaurants and chiringuitos (beach bars).
The fourth area of development is around the golf course not far from the village of Barriada de Canela. This area is close to Ayamonte and has small number of apartment buildings, villas and one hotel. Further development continues and there are plans for a commercial centre in the area.
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