Beaches on the Costa BlancaThe Costa Blanca has over 100 kms of fine sandy beaches and rocky coves, with many having the coveted European Blue Flag signifying cleanliness and safe bathing.
Listed below are the main ones, and some not so known. | | Moraira |   Platja del Portet This Blue Flag beach is a quiet, picturesque cove with fine sand and crystal-clear water, lying between the port of Moraira and Cap d`Or Tower, which you can climb up to, it is closely bounded by headlands, which give it a dramatic feel, and a splendid vista, the gently shelving sheltered beach makes it ideal for children. . Almost like a Caribbean bay, as the water is turquoise, the road to it is winding, and the hills are covered with pine trees. There are some cafes/restaurants along the front, and just above, overlooking the bay the excellent Dauphin restaurant. Blue Flag beach, lifeguard on duty from 11:00-19:00h everyday in the season, showers, large car park, and various watersport activities available.
How to get there: Follow the Del Portet Avenue out of Moraira, north along the coast. Portet is about a kilometer along the road, at the end of the road.
 Platja de l'Ampolla (Moraira beach) Of golden sand, this Blue Fla g beach is the largest and most popular in the area, with an excellent range of facilities including beach bars, sunbeds & hammocks, wash rooms, showers, and various watersport activities including Jet Ski and boat excursions, and beach games. As you are in the resort then you have a huge selection of bar, cafes, restaurants, shops etc at hand, and plenty of parking. Blue Flag beach, lifeguard on duty from 11:00-19:00h everyday in the season.
How to get there: As you approach Moraira the parking is to the south of the centre of town.
 Platgetes This Blue Flag sandy/rocky beach runs parallel to the Moraira/Calpe coast road, with a beautiful long promenade to stroll along and a good variety of bars and restaurants nearby. There is plenty of designated parking, and a Red Cross lifeguard team are in close proximity. This is an ideal area to find quieter, more private spots to spend the day on the beach, and you can pop into the various nearby bars for refreshments, or take a leisurely lunch.
How to get there: As you leave Moraira, towards Calpe on the coastal road, you will see various parking spots for the beach.
 Platge de l´Andragó This Cove is very relaxed, and a quiet beach, perfect for fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and any sort of water sport. It has a very long coastal walk, with beautiful views of the cliff edges and the Mediterranean shoreline. Also, the famous 'Algas' beach bar is located here where you have to go for the 'sun-downer' and anything else that takes your fancy - well worth a visit.
How to get there: As you leave Moraira, towards Calpe on the coastal road, you will see various parking spots for the beach, past Platgetes beach.
 Cap Blanc & Punta de l'Estrella The rest of the coastline up to Cap Blanc is an area full of dramatic cliffs, coves and secluded beaches, with excellent viewpoints. Cap Blanc itself is a quiet rocky beach with spectacular cliffs and magnificent views along the Mediterranean shoreline to the Rock at Calpe.
How to get there: From the Moraira to Calpe coast road, take the turning by the Pepe la Sal Supermarket, and drive through the pine forest to reach the Cap Blanc cliff top. From here you will find one road that winds down to a small parking area near the sea with a flight of stairs leading down to a sunbathing and diving spot. In the summer there is a ladder to assist you in and out of the water. The sea is particularly clear here, a real paradise for divers and snorkelers.
 Cumbre del Sol This hidden gem is a favourite of ours, but not ideal for small children. Two hazzards - large pebbles, so flip-flops needed or you do an unusual dance, and the far end is a nudist section!
The joy of this beach is that it drops away dramatically, so perfect for snorkling and exploring the lovely life under the water.
How to get there: Follow signs to the 'Cumbre del Sol', which is the development on top of the highest mountain - you can't miss it. Once there follow sign to 'Playa' (beach) and it will bring you to to a cutting and down onto the small bay, where there is plenty of parking.
| | Benissa |  Cala La Fustera This Blue Flag popular sandy horseshoe-shaped beach is in an attractive bay between Calpe and Moraira, with on-site parking.
Fine natural sand dominated by the majestic meadows of Posidonia oceanica (sea-grass) that reign over the seabed. Beach facilities open from June 15th to September 15th, including a Red Cross Life Guard Post.
Located close to the beach is the "Cova de la Fustera", a 10 m. high cave from which one can enjoy a magnificent view of the Benissa coastline and the Peñón de Ifach.
Just few metres away is the "Casa dels Cents Vents" (House of the hundred winds) centre that houses the Benissa Playa Tourist Information office, a police post (June to September) and the "Aula de la Mar" that is a venue of environmental awareness activities related to the sea.
 Cala Baladrar This Blue Flag popular horseshoe-shaped beach is in an attractive bay between Calpe and Moraira, with on-site parking.
The Baladrar cove is a lovely gate to the Mediterranean that stands out for the brightness typical on these latitudes, with pine trees leaning out towards the blue sea inviting the visitor to follow this pleasant aquatic route. This pebbly cove has formed at the mouth of the "dels Sesters" ravine. El Baladrar ends in a 30m. high cliff full of crannies formed by the action of the sea and from which the rock known as La Polida has fallen off.
The cove is protected from the easterly winds, and its shallow and transparent waters and abundant sea life make it an ideal place to enjoy for a marine trip. | | Calpe |  Playa Arenal Calpe has some 11 kilometres of coastline, half of which is sandy and the rest is beautiful high cliffs. Calpe's beautiful stretch of coastline, from Les Bassetes to Morro de Toix has something for everyone - whether you are a nature lover, hiker, adventurer or just a sun worshipper who wants great views.
Although there are 12 sandy beaches in all, the two main beaches, Arenal and Fossa, are linked by a promenade two miles long. Most of the other beaches have promenades and bars, restaurants and shops.
Les Bassetes, north end of this area offers a natural shelter resulting in perfect conditions for learning to sail. It also boasts an underwater sea bed perfect for diving.
Del Mallorquí Cove is about a 100m long and situated near the Les Bassetes marina.
Calalga Cove also100m long is situated close to the Levante Beach.
La Fossa Beach, also known as Levante beach, has fine sand and found in a wide bay between the Punta de Bassetes and the Peñón de Ifach. The beach is Blue Flag awarded and offers a full range of services from restaurants to shops.
Del Penyal Cove. 100m long, situated on the northern slope of the Peñón de Ifach, accessible along a small path.
The main beaches have Life Guards, showers and toilet facilities. The sandy beaches of La Fossa, Arenal-Bol and La Calalga are very popular with the tourists. The beaches and promenade offer a full range of services and activities including pedalos, jet skiing and wind surfing. A wide selection of bars, cafes and restaurants abound.
The Peñon de Ifach, Calpe rock towers 332 metres above the town and dominates the coastline for miles. You can climb to the top, first via a stone pathway upto a tunnel which has been carved through the rock and marvel at the Mediterranean seascape. Then from the other side of the tunnel it starts getting a bit more challenging. But the breathtaking views and the sight of thousands of gulls and other seabirds, the rock is their sanctuary makes it all worthwhile.
At the foot of the rock are the salt flats, used in Roman times for salt production and now an important habitat for a variety of migratory birds including flamingos and herons.
The coastline of Calpe consists of cliffs, small rocky coves and wide sandy beaches.
If the adventures of the Peñon de Ifach don't interest you then head along to Calpe Nautical Club. This fishing port was once used by the Phoenicians and Romans. Here you can enjoy a wide range of water sports and activities including scuba diving, windsurfing, water-skiing and sailing.
Sail from the club and explore the coast, stopping en route at the Cova dels Coloms, a marine cave which serves as the mouth of an underground, fresh-water stream.
The transparent waters and rocky outcrops, coves and caverns make this area perfect for scuba diving. The Puerto Blanco diving centre organises trips to local dive sites and ensures safe conditions for beginners and experienced divers alike.
Dive to depths of between six and 15 metres around the rocks of the Peñon and you'll see moray eel, octopus, sea cat, lobster, barracuda and stone fish. Divers have also made some important archaeological discoveries here.
Or keep dry and use the glass bottomed boats and even subs.
| | Javea |  Playa Arenal (main beach of Javea) This horseshoe-shaped beach is in an attractive bay between the headlands of Cabo San Antonio and Cabo San Martin, which is sandy and safe for children with a gentle gradient into the sea, set in a beautiful location it offers a wide range of activities to keep people of all age groups amused. There is a 100 mt new diving platform to allow the more experienced swimmers a more challenging experience. Well served by showers and toilet facilities, as well as Life Guards too.
In the summer months there are climbing frames, volleyball nets, water rafts, pedalos and play centres for the under 8's. Numerous restaurants, bars, shops abound, as well as the place for late night disco pub bars.
For jet and water skiing head towards the Arenal (just past the Parador Hotel), a one kilometre stretch of sandstone beach, sits between the Arenal and the port area. Montañar beach is hard rock so you need a sun bed and flip flops. More of a challenge as you plunge into deep water, so not ideal for the very young. Further along bar huts pebble the beach area and are open until late into the night.
Venture further along to the old port where there are two very attractive pebble beaches - one in the port itself and the other at the marina end of the port. The latter is called Tango Beach - it's tiny but in a beautiful very quiet setting. A great place for snorkelling too. There is a bar and restaurant on the beach so you can make a day of it, or just a short walk to the marina Club Nautico restaurant or those close by.
Javea's Sailing Club Club Nautico also has a sailing school. And there are boat rides around the Cabo San Antonio headland to the neighbouring resort of Denia.
 For scuba divers and beginners then make use of the Sub-Aqua Club, which offers lesson for beginners and escorted trips for qualified divers. The climate coupled with the crystal clear waters make diving here an exhilarating experience - there are underwater arches, walls and caves to explore, giant clams, sea urchins, octopus and a whole world of Mediterranean marine life. Going south from the Arenal, drive along the coast road, up the mountain towards the lighthouse at Cabo La Nao. You will also find the beautiful beaches of Portichol (pictured left) and Granadella where there is a diving school. Although the beaches are pebbly the scenery is beautiful and you can walk out to a small island. | | Denia |
 Playa Arenal - The fine flat sandy beaches interspersed with rocky coves and tiny bays, stretch for about 20km, so never get overcrowded even in August. This beautiful beach starts in the centre of Denia, near the ferry terminal, and stretchs northwards encompassing the sandy beaches of Les Marines, Les Bovetes, Les Deveses and Els Palmars.
As usual these Blue flag beaches are patrolled by lifeguards during high season and the main beaches have the full benefits of showers, sunshades and beds to hire. Also a huge variety of beach bars and ice creams stands. A great range of Bars and restaurants line the seafront.
Pick up some very fresh fish at the fish market, which is is by the sea fronting the main town (not far from the ferry). Limpia means to have cleaned. BBQ prawns and squid is simply perfect. Squid just takes 2 mins either side, but make sure the grill is very hot, as you want those burned marks to show.
There are plenty of beach-based activities both on and off the water. There are climbing frames, volleyball nets and huge expanses of spare beach set well back from the sea - ideal for football and other team sports.
You can hire sail boats, dinghies and pedalos. Go fishing from the rocks at Les Rotes which also provide the perfect environment for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Mediterranean marine life makes these waters perfect for diving. Contact Aquatic Denia for advice and equipment (tel + 34 964425215).
Take the ferry (www.trasmediterranea.es, www.iscomar.com, www.balearia.com) from Denia to one of the Balearic Islands - Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca of Formentera. If you're a diver, you can explore the wrecks of two Roman vessels which sunk off the coast of Mallorca in the third and fourth centuries BC. |
