Beaches of the Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca Beaches
Costa Blanca beaches are some of the finest in the whole of Spain, perhaps even Europe. The South of the Costa Blanca has a very different type of beach to those in the North of the Coast, with fine sand and a flatter more even landscape. They are what you would normally expect to find in the Mediterranean. Stretching from just south of Santa Pola to just north of La Mata are the pine forests and dunes, created to protect the seafront towns and villages from the coastal weather. These are most prominent in Guardamar and La Marina. The beaches in the North of the Costa Blanca (North of Altea) are usually rockier and have pebbles rather than sand. Some such as Moraira have made a great effort in creating an artificial sandy beach. However, what the beaches of the North lack in sand they certainly make up for in landscape and scenery.
There is over 100 kilometers of sandy beach from Valencia in the north to Murcia in the south, best known for the Blue Flags they have been given. The Blue Flag Awards are presented by the European Federation of Environmental Education (EFEE) every year, in recognition of the excellent quality of water and amenities.
Selected Costa Blanca Beaches
Benidorm Beaches
The famous Levante (sunrise) and Poniente (Sunset) stretch the length of this resort gently shelving into the warn sea. Fine sand and well served by beach bars with watersports and facilities along the entire length. Pedestrianised promenade along the length of the Levante beach. Can become very busy during peak season and parking can be difficult. Both are Blue Flag approved and lifeguards present year around.
Denia Beach
Denia has a long stretch of beach from the resort centre northwards towards Olivo. Fine sand and gently shelving the beach is rarely crowded throughout the year. Well served by beach bars and shower facilities and parking is available throughout the length of the beach. Denia also has a number of smaller coves and shingle beaches providing a peaceful alternative. Blue Flag approved and lifeguard present 1 June to 30 Sept.
Playa de Albir
Located close to the pretty town of Altea, Playa de Albir sits at the foot of the Sierra De Helada. The shingle/sand beach has good facilities with beach bar restaurant and many bars and restaurants in the resort of Albir. Plenty of parking nearby although in peak season may be busy with locals. Blue Flag approved with lifeguard present 1June to 30Sept.
Puerto Blanco Calpe
A small cove with good facilities including a bar and restaurant and a small port with fishing boats and boat for fishing charters. The beach views across to the Penon De Ifach and some of the modern architecture of the resort of Calpe. Parking available.
Moraira Beach
Moraira beach has everything you need and you can even choose between fine sand, rocks or pebbles! This beach is not over-populated and has a range of excellent facilities, including beach games, restaurants, washing facilities, a watch tower to admire the amazing view and ample parking.
Javea Arenal
The famous horseshoe bay of fine sand in the centre of this popular resort has a gentle slope into the sea and is a good place for introducing children to swimming in the sea. There are public showers and toilet facilities plus parasols and sunbeds available to hire. The bay is surrounded by a wide choice of bars and restaurants along the attractive pedestrianised promenade and in the summer you can stroll along the front and enjoy the stalls selling a variety of hand made
crafts. The summer months are busy and Arenal is a favourite meeting place to go out and enjoy the bars. Accompanied jet-ski tours are available as is the hire of motor boats and boats for trips. Parking is available along the length of the beach area and there are also bus and taxi stops. The beach has wheelchair access and is Blue Flag approved with a lifeguard usually present from 1 June to 30 Sept.
Costa Blanca Beaches Information
Nude and Topless beaches and sunbathing
Topless sunbathing is permitted on all public beaches, some of the few private beaches may have different rules. You may also find people sun bathing naked on the ends of the beaches, or a very bold person doing so in full view. This is because nude sun bathing is fully legal in any public space in Spain.
Blue Flag Beach Facilities
Many Costa Blanca beaches will be Blue Flag standard. If you are at a Blue Flag beach, there will be certain services available to you. These can include: toilettes, restaurants, facilities for disabled, clean sand and water and most important, a lifeguard service. This will be of more
use if you and your family try to stay next to the lookout tower and always in the time tables when this service is working. Some beaches even have climbing frames and child play areas and Beach Volley Ball nets.
Beach Flags and Your Safety
It is very important to pay attention to the safety flags on display. Green means calm weather and calm waves. A Yellow flag means stronger waves and wind and to take caution. It is not advised to swim under a Yellow flag especially with children but at the same time it is allowed.
Red means no swimming. A Red flag indicates Strong winds, high waves and strong under currents. If you are seen swimming you will be removed by the lifeguards (if any are present), possibly arrested by the police and fined. Never leave children unattended in the water even for a second, no matter how calm the sea looks.
The lifeguards can provide you with information about safe sunbathing, swimming after eating etc. You will not have any problem with the language barrier because they are usually young people, specially trained for working with tourists all along the Spanish coasts. However,
if you have an unfortunate accident and need further assistance at a hospital, you will need an interpreter. Don’t wait until an emergency arises to find an interpreter’s number, get one before hand and make sure he or she is available for emergencies.
Beach Thieves
More people on the beaches mean more thieves trying to relieve you of your hard earned property.
Please warn all residents and visitors that they are about.
The latest version is the friendly beach photographer, who volunteers to take your photo whilst his accomplice is away with your property. This is only one of the many variations.
Please follow the below advice in an effort to prevent someone else spoiling a perfect day:-
1) Only take to the beach what you will need. Leave valuables, documents and money in a safe and secure place away from the beach.
2) Do not leave any valuables, car keys or house keys in the car whether parked at the beach, supermarket or elsewhere. This also includes any papers which show your address in Spain or home country. It has been known for thieves to break into cars, steal the car, visit the house and ransack it before the victims return to where they left the car. Do not leave Sat Navs, cables or support brackets on show.
3) Never leave anything on the beach whilst you are in the sea no matter how small or unimportant it is or how small a time you are away from it. If possible, always leave someone with your property and avoid all of you falling asleep at the same time.
4) Always be suspicious of persons you do not know trying to be friendly on the beach.
