Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve is situated in North Atlantic, 163 nautical miles from Madeira Island, Portugal, and is bounded by the 200 meters bathymetric contour line, including all the islands (Selvagem Grande, Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora), islets and respective maritime area. These islands were officially discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century, and all attempts of colonisation were thwarted. It contains some plant habitats unique in the world living in untouched ecosystems (Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora) and the highest percentage of endemic plants per square meter in Macaronesia. Zoologically speaking, it is a genuine sanctuary for pelagic birds, such as Cory’s Shearwater, the largest colony of this species in the world, White-faced Storm-petrel, one of the largest populations in the Atlantic and forms the northern boundary of the species distribution, Bulwer’s Petrel and Madeiran Storm-petrel. Consequently, the archipelago is of exceptional scientific interest; it is a natural heritage whose value goes beyond national boundaries.

Therefore, since 1971, Selvagens Islands are under of the Regional Government of Madeira administration and are classified as a Nature Reserve, being the first to be classified as such in Portugal.