Here is a list of all the main beaches in Cabo de Gata from North (Carboneras) to South (San Miguel de Cabo de Gata).
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PLAYA DEL ALGARROBICO
Playa del Algarrobico in Cabo de Gata
- 1.4 km long | golden sand & some stones
- Located 4km north of Carboneras town
- The first beach of the Cabo de Gata Nature Park
- Great snorkeling
- Nudism is common
- In the early 2000’s the construction of a macro hotel started in this beach. After many local campaigns, the construction was stopped in 2003. Currently there are plans for its demolition
- Used as movie set for Lawrence of Arabia (1962). A replica of the city of Áqaba in Jordan was built in the beach, made up by around 300 houses. Over 400 extras were hired & over 400 horses + over 150 camels were brought from the Sahara
- Following the road a couple of kms north of Playa del Algarrobico is the Mirador de la Granatilla (Granatilla look out point) with great views over the beach
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7
CALA LA GALERA
Playa La Galera
- 800 m long | some dark sand but mostly pebbles
- Located 2km north of Carboneras town
- Undeveloped, no services or amenities
- Great snorkeling
- Located off the same dirt road that goes to the Torre del Rayo
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BEACHES OF CARBONERAS
Bars & restaurants along Carboneras beachfront promenade
- The town of Carboneras features several kilometers of fine golden sand beaches
- Playa El Ancón & Playa de los Cocones y Barquicos are the main beaches downtown. They have all basic amenities and are surrounded by a promenade with plenty of bars/restaurants
- South of downtown are Playa de las Marinicas & Playa de Cueva Alta.
- At the northern end of Carboneras is Playa los Roncaores. The Hotel CH Cabo de Gata is located next to this beach.
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9
AGUA AMARGA BEACH
Beach in Agua Amarga, Cabo de Gata
- 550m long | fine dark gold sand
- Stretches along the oceanfront of Agua Amarga, surrounded by rock cliffs on both sides
- Family beach with easy access (incl. for people with reduced mobility)
- Basic services: lifeguard, WC’s, showers, trash cans
- Several bars and restaurants right next to it
- Can get quite busy during the summer months
- Variety of water activities: kayaks for rent, snorkel, dive, wakeboard, paddle surf
- Also possible to rent a boat to explore the coast
- Some small caves in the western end of the beach. Legend has it that they were inhabited in the past
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10
CALA DE ENMEDIO
Cala de Enmedio
- 150 m long | fine golden sand
- Beautiful cove in Cabo de Gata surrounded by cliffs on both sides
- Crystalline water
- Great for swimming (but be careful with waves and currents)
- Very isolated – difficult access by foot
- 30 min walk from Agua Amarga or from the parking of Cala del Plomo
- Another option: rent kayaks in Agua Amarga to get there
- Nudism is common
- Great views from the beach of the Agua Amarga village with Mesa Roldan & its castle in the backdrop
- Undeveloped, no services
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11
CALA SAN PEDRO
Cala San Pedro
- 225m long | golden sand
- Historically very quiet because of the difficult access
- Hiking from Las Negras takes 60 - 90 min
- Community of nudist hippies living there
- Until not long ago, it was very isolated because of the long walk there, nowadays boats transport people constantly from las Negras to this beach (12€ round trip)
- Calm waters, great for snorkeling & scuba-diving
- Fresh water spring next to the beach
- Nudism is common
- There is remnants of a defensive structure from the 16th century
- People often camp on the beach, especially during high season
- The beach can get packed and unfortunately full of trash
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12
LAS NEGRAS BEACH
Las Negras beach – Almeria
- 650m long | dark sand and volcanic stones
- The beach in Las Negras is a mix of rocks and sand. Not bad, but not worth getting out of your way to come to this beach
- Great place to start a boat excursion (e.g. to Cala San Pedro)
- Sometimes it can be windy with strong water currents
- Basic services and amenities in the village (bars & restaurants, etc.)
- Nice views of the Cerro Negro (“Black Mountain”) that separates Playa de las Negras from Cala San Pedro
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13
CALA DEL CUERVO
Cala del Cuervo in Cabo de Gata
- 130m long | dark golden sand with some stones
- Small cove among cliffs with a camping site on it (Camping La Caleta)
- 1 min drive from Las Negras
- Great for snorkeling & scuba diving
- Great panoramic views
- From here, it is possible to hike along the coast to el Playazo de Rodalquilar (60 min one-way). It’s a beautiful hike and pretty easy
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14
ISLETA DEL MORO BEACH
Playa del Peñón Blanco in Isleta del Moro
- 250m long | fine golden sand
- Beach in the village of Isleta del Moro, also called Playa del Peñón Blanco
- Receives its name from the big white rock (peñón blanco) that divides the beach in two
- Parking right next to the beach and it’s a short walk into the village
- Often visited by people in camper vans
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15
PLAYA DEL ARCO
- 350m long | mix of fine golden sand and stones (changes throughout the year)
- Also called Playa de los Escullos
- 5 min drive south from La Isleta
- Also possible to walk from La Isleta: follow easy 1.5 km path (one way) along the coast
- At the south end of the beach is the largest fossilized dune in the nature park. Next to it is the neighborhood of Los Escullos including a restaurant, bar, campsite and even a nightclub
- Castle of San Felipe is located pass the houses. Built by Carlos III in the 18th century as part of the defensive system of Almería’s coast. Offers great views of the park’s coastline
- Pass the castle there are a couple of small undeveloped coves
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16
PLAYA DEL EMBARCADERO
Playa del Embarcadero
- 300m long | some golden sand, but mostly stones
- Also known as Playa de Piedra Galera
- Located past Punta del Esparto (Esparto Point)
- “Embarcadero” means “wharf, pier.” Here ships were loaded with esparto grass and other goods in the past
- Great diving
- Not the most comfy beach because it’s mostly stones
- Undeveloped, no amenities
- Parking right next to the beach
- Next to the highest point of the park (Cerro del Fraile, 500m high)
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UNDEVELOPED COVES SOUTH OF PLAYA DEL EMBARCADERO
Cala Grande
- Cala Cortada, Cala Chica, Cala Grande
- Undeveloped, very quiet, surrounded by beautiful rock cliffs
- Difficult access from land: not the easiest way down, not for everybody
- Mostly rocks
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SAN JOSE BEACH
Main beach in San Jose, Almeria
- 250m long | fine sand
- San Jose's main beach has all basic facilities & amenities: lifeguard, showers, trash cans, lounge chairs & parasols for rent, kayak rent, children’s playground, etc.
- Family friendly,
- As one of the most popular beaches in Cabo de Gata, it gets fairly crowded in high season
- Easy access (accessible for wheelchairs)
- It’s next to the marina & surrounded by a promenade with a variety of bars/restaurants
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19
PLAYA DEL BARRONAL
Playa del Barronal
- 250m long | dark sand
- 10 min walk to the beach from the parking
- Calm waters
- In our opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches in Cabo de Gata
- Nudism is common
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20
CALA RAJÁ
Cala Rajá
- 120m long | golden and dark sand
- Beautiful isolated cove, very quiet
- To get there, right before reaching the lighthouse, follow the road to the left
- Although most of the time there isn’t a physical barrier, cars aren’t supposed to pass further than the lighthouse. Many however do but you risk getting a fine
- If you leave the car by the lighthouse, it is a 30-min walk to Cala Rajá
- Between the lighthouse and Cala Rajá there is a row of beautiful quaint little coves
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21
CALA ARENA
Cala Arena
- 70m long | golden sand
- One of the many little coves between Cala Rajá and the lighthouse
- Tiny but extremely beautiful
- Quiet & isolated
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22
CALA DEL CORRALETE
Cala del Corralete
- 600m long | white sand
- Also known as Playa Ancón de Cabo de Gata
- Located right before the lighthouse (when driving from the saltworks)
- Easy access
- Great sunset views which can be enjoyed from the bar
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PLAYA DE LA FABRIQUILLA
Playa de la Fabriquilla
- 600m long | sand
- Between here and the western end of the natural park is a straight stretch of over 12 km of sandy beach
- The road runs along the beachfront, making for very easy access
- The beachfront around the village of La Fabriquilla is known as Playa de la Fabriquilla. It has some services (bars/restaurants)
- Located next to Cerro San Miguel (San Miguel Mountain) – it’s a bit more protected from the wind than further west
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23
PLAYA DE SAN MIGUEL DE CABO DE GATA
Church and local boats at Playa de Cabo de Gata
- 2.5km long | sand
- Beach of the town of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata also known as Playa de las Salinas
- Promenade along the beach with a variety of bars/restaurants
- Several chiringuitos right on the beach
- Many amenities & facilities (lifeguard, showers, school & rent of equipment for water sports, etc)
- Check out Reservas las Salinas saltworks next to the beach – there are several birdwatching huts just off the road
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FULL GUIDE TO PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS
