Untouched, untamed, undiscovered

‘We were then put ashore in a hidden bay. And there we were presented with an image of such an immutable perfection that something strange but not incomprehensible took place within me: namely, I actually did not see it at all; it made no impression on me; because of its perfection it existed on the very brink of the invisible.’

When the German philosopher and intellectual Walter Benjamin arrived in Ibiza in 1932, the scene with which he was met is still visible in many parts of the island. On the shores of Ibiza, deep, pine-fringed coves, mile upon mile of rugged coastline, white sands, uninhabited islets and a sea teeming with marine life and vibrant seagrasses. Inland, rich red earth and wild herbs cover the island’s interior, olive groves and vineyards pepper the far-flung hillsides and valleys are rich with citrus orchards and fragrant figs.

While Ibiza is no longer the solitary backwater it once was, the island’s nature is as extraordinary as ever. A new breed of conscious outdoor explorer, led by those such as Ibiza Hike Station’s Manuel Ehrensperger and the lo-fi, low-impact Bohemian Boat Charter are encouraging a renewed passion for Ibiza’s remarkable landscapes and fostering a sense of respect and responsibility towards protecting these unique Mediterranean environments. The narrative around Ibiza is changing, and once more the island’s nature is at the forefront of a new Balearic dialogue.