The Tres Palmas Marine Reserve (RMTP, by its Spanish acronym) is located south of Punta Higüero, between the Puntas (to the north) and Ensenada (to the south) neighborhoods. The RMTP encompasses the area within the imaginary lines connecting the following GPS coordinates:
1) 18° 20' 42.1'' N, 67° 15' 41.0'' W
2) 18° 20' 34.86" N, 67° 15' 47.47" W
3) 18° 20' 31.28" N, 67° 15' 55.27" W
4) 18° 20' 46.12" N, 67° 16' 14.19" W
5) 18° 20' 57.75" N, 67° 16' 26.93" W
6) 18° 21' 6.9" N, 67° 16' 17.53" W
7) 18° 21' 12.4" N, 67° 16' 3.4" W
Land Access
The main land access points to RMTP are situated along Road PR413. In KM1, HM7, on PR413, there is a paved road entrance which leads to ‘Steps Beach’. This southwest-oriented entrance provides the main access to RMTP, as well as to a limited parking area. The beach can also be accessed through the north at ‘Casa China (at Villa Ensenada), and to the south, through Calle Surf. Other land access points are located at the end points of the reserve: to the north, through Playa Maria’s, and to the south, through Little Malibu Beach. Other land access points to RMTP lie within privately-held grounds ending in the shore within RMTP’s limits.
Extension
RMTP’s boundaries include 1,180 lineal meters of coast, from its north reaches down to its south border. The marine boundaries (to the west) is framed to a depth of 20 m (60 feet). RMTP’s area has a perimeter of approximately 3.8 km (2.38 miles), and has a total surface area of 83.7 hectares (204 acres).