Life's a Beach... The Beaches on the Orihuela Costa.
The Orihuela Costa is awash with beautiful, powder sand beaches, hidden rocky coves and all year sun. Many of it's beaches have been awarded the prestigous 'Blue Flag' status and recently 3 have won the 'Q' award, a symbol of excellence in the condition and services provided on the beaches.
The Orihuela Costa is without a doubt, the playground of the southern Costa Blanca, providing the perfect atmosphere for lazy, sunbathing days, beach picnics, a game of volleyball or a splash or swim in the crystal clear, cooling waters of the Mediterranean.
Here at the Orihuela Costa dot com website, we have provided a quick glance into the beaches of the Orihuela Costa.
Please note that this is a basic guide and things may vary slightly from the descriptions, although we aim to keep the information up to date.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION. FLAG SAFETY CODE.
Whilst a day at the beach can be great fun for kids and adults alike, ALWAYS make sure that you are aware of the safety rules, published at each beach along the Orihuela Costa.
Each beach displays a sign showing the services that it provides and what it does and doesn't permit, along with information boards giving advice on the beach rules and some local information.
The Costa Blanca and in particular the coastline around the Orihuela Costa is well known for strong under currents in the sea, so ALWAYS follow the flag safety system.
GREEN - safe to swim
YELLOW - enter with caution ( be guided by lifeguards if they are on duty)
RED - DO NOT SWIM AT ALL
ALWAYS pay attention to the Lifeguard and your lazy days on the beach will be care-free and accident free, or worse.
LOOKY LOOKY, MASSAJEEE MASSAJJEE, DEE VEE DEE, DEE VEE DEE.
Yes, it can be a royal pain in the butt, but the looky looky men, massage men & women and the DVD sellers along with some other minor anoyances are a part of life on the beaches of the Orihuela Costa.
If you aren't interested, a polite 'No thank you' will suffice..they may come back, but after all, they are, at least trying to make a living.
Just tell yourself that it is all part of being on the Beach, don't get annoyed, it will only spoil your day.
The Orihuela Costa is without a doubt, the playground of the southern Costa Blanca, providing the perfect atmosphere for lazy, sunbathing days, beach picnics, a game of volleyball or a splash or swim in the crystal clear, cooling waters of the Mediterranean.
Here at the Orihuela Costa dot com website, we have provided a quick glance into the beaches of the Orihuela Costa.
Please note that this is a basic guide and things may vary slightly from the descriptions, although we aim to keep the information up to date.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION. FLAG SAFETY CODE.
Whilst a day at the beach can be great fun for kids and adults alike, ALWAYS make sure that you are aware of the safety rules, published at each beach along the Orihuela Costa.
Each beach displays a sign showing the services that it provides and what it does and doesn't permit, along with information boards giving advice on the beach rules and some local information.
The Costa Blanca and in particular the coastline around the Orihuela Costa is well known for strong under currents in the sea, so ALWAYS follow the flag safety system.
GREEN - safe to swim
YELLOW - enter with caution ( be guided by lifeguards if they are on duty)
RED - DO NOT SWIM AT ALL
ALWAYS pay attention to the Lifeguard and your lazy days on the beach will be care-free and accident free, or worse.
LOOKY LOOKY, MASSAJEEE MASSAJJEE, DEE VEE DEE, DEE VEE DEE.
Yes, it can be a royal pain in the butt, but the looky looky men, massage men & women and the DVD sellers along with some other minor anoyances are a part of life on the beaches of the Orihuela Costa.
If you aren't interested, a polite 'No thank you' will suffice..they may come back, but after all, they are, at least trying to make a living.
Just tell yourself that it is all part of being on the Beach, don't get annoyed, it will only spoil your day.
Punta Prima beaches.
  Punta Prima Beach, Torrevieja. |
2 very different beaches are on offer at Punta Prima (although one is part of Torrevieja), Orihuela Costa favourites with both Spanish and international holiday makers and locals. This first is located to just beside the Nautilus Restaurant, recently having a major facelift, new facilities added, ramp access and the sea wall rebuilt (collapsed in 2007). There is a lovely promenade along this beach, ideal for dog and people walkers, cool evening strolls and watching the world go by. An expanse of rocky headland separates the 2 beaches, with the second being a 10-15 minute stroll away, walled in and nestled below the Restaurante Punta Prima, a beautiful, traditional and modern restaurant and bar complex. This beach has a Chiringito (beach bar) in the summer months, offering a range of cooling drinks and snacks. Both beaches have freshwater for getting the sand out of your feet and hands and at the Nautilus beach, there are the Cruz Rojo (Red Cross) lifeguards are on site from July - September. |
Playa Flamenca beaches. Blue Flag & 'Q' status.
| Playa Flamenca has again, 2 main beaches on offer, another great Orihuela Costa favourite with holiday makers both from Spain and elsewhere. Playa Flamenca however, has a few other little coves, usually very quiet for those who do not want the screams of kids interrupting their tranquil sun-worshipping experience. The main beaches (cala estaca - 'blue flag' 'Q' ) are either side of the beautifully designed Paseo, with it's sweepng stairs and home to the Craft Market in summer months. Both of these very popular beaches are well serviced, giving this beach the coveted Blue Flag, a mark of quality in services and cleanliness, both have Cruz Rojo. Chiringitos, plenty of car parking space, clean toilets on cala estaca and a nice parade of restaurants and cafes at street level. There are also a whole host of smaller coves, 4 in total between Playa Flamenca and Punta Prima, for those who want a quieter sun-worshipping session or who would rather escape the screams of the little (or big) ones.The biggest secret is the Playa Nudista,(playa libre) a short walk (going north) along the coast, and accesible via some steps carved into the rock face, almost opposite the La Mosca Commercial Centre. There is a small sign pointing the way to steps cut into the rocks, taking you down to the nudist beach, for those who wish to have an 'all over' tan. All in all, Playa Flamenca really has something to offer everyone. |
  One of the smaller coves at Playa Flamenca. |
La Zenia beaches.
 Stunning Cala Bosque .jpg) Cala Capitan & Isla del Carmen. |
The La Zenia beaches are possibly the best known beaches on the Orihuela Costa... a constant favourite, with people returning year after year. La Zenia has 3 bathing beaches, 2 either side of the Hotel La Zenia....Cala Bosque & Cala Cerrada and Cala Capitan (with the little Isla del Carmen), just a short walk along the coastal path. Sadly, even though the 2 beaches either side of the Hotel are immaculate, with crystal claer waters, La Zenia has never been awarded any of the Blue Flags, that some of the other beached on the Orihuela Costa have. This is because of Spanish laws stating that there should not be any buildings within 30 metres of the shore and as La Zenia Hotel is on the edge of the water, albeit on a rock face, then the beaches will never get that all -important status. HOWEVER, this doesn't stop thousands of visitors every year, descending onto one of the Orihuela Costa's most perfect and cleanest beaches, providing excellent services and even wooden walkways almost right into the Mediterranean. |
Cabo Roig beaches. Blue Flag status.
| Cabo Roig offers 2 beaches, Cala Caleta & Playa de la Regia (although some people feel that Cala Capitan is also a part of Cabo Roig). The old Water Tower, perched on top of the cliffs, provides breathtaking views of the well facilitated beaches, the Marina (a des-res for the Yachting Set). The beaches are strewn with holiday makers, people on lunch breaks and local retirees, through the hot summer months, quieter in winter, but many winter days offering that winter sunbathing option, due to Cala Caleta being a sup trap. The beaches in Cabo Roig are clean, the waters are clear and cooling in the summer. What else do yuo want really ? |
 Torre de Cabo Roig & Marina |
Campoamor beaches. 'Q' & Blue Flag status.
 Playa de la Glea, Campoamor. |
Campoamor has 2 main beaches, Playa de la Glea and Playa Barranco Rubio, both, long and meandering, one nestled each side of the Club Nautico Campoamor (Sailing Club & Marina). Both beaches have excellent facilities, rstaurants and Playa de la Glea has a rustic coastal path which looks lke it is tagged onto the side of the rock face. Both beaches are, as all the other Orihuela Costa beaches, immaculately kept and again, the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean are just that. Both within easy access of the N332, these beaches are just out of the way from the hustle and niose of La Zenia, Cabo Roig & Playa Flamenca, giving the perfect opportunity for a slightly quieter day on a different beach. |
Mil Palmeras beach. Blue Flag status.
| A thousand palms is the translation for Mil Palmeras. The idea of this, gently cooling you, whilst the waves lap onto the shore, is a beach lovers idea of paradise. Strangely enough, the beach at Mil Palmeras isn't that far off the mark. The most Southern of the Orihuela Costa beaches, this one is definately a case of last (going south of course) but not least. A beautiful, long stretch of un-interrupted coast-line, immaculate powder beaches wit a few rocky coves thrown in for good measure, this one is for those who enjoy only the sound of the waves. Accessible from the N332, this is the opportunity to get those quiet beach days in, before heading to the noise and vibrancy of the main stretches of the Orihuela Costa at Cabo Roig, La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Villamartin, Campoamor and Punta Prima. |
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Playa Libre (the nudist beach).
 The entrance to the Playa Libre via the rock face steps. |
We could not provide information about the beaches of the Orihuela Costa, without mentioning the Playa Libre, or the Playa Nusdista.
Naked sun-bathing in Spain has no scandalous meaning. There are people who like an all-over tan, therefore, there are beaches that cater to this and the Orihuela Costa is no exception. Nestled under the rock face at Playa Flamenca, off of the N332 and more or less opposite Lidl, lies the Playa Libre (translates as free beach). Accessible from steps cut into the rock face, this beach is clean, quiet and allows those who choose, the freedom to sun-bathe and swim without the restrictions of clothing. Of course, dithching your shorts or bikini isn't a pre-requisite to go onto this beach, but if you are offended by naked bodies, then this is one to avoid.
To those who enjoy........ENJOY. |
