PLAYA DE MONSUL
Cabo de Gata
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Along with Playa de los Muertos and Playa de los Genoveses, Playa de Monsul is one of the most famous beaches in Cabo de Gata. Of the three beaches, it’s the most beautiful in our opinion. Monsul is divided in two sections by the Peineta de Monsul (Monsul’s comb), a huge volcanic rock formation that extends out into the crystalline waters. The beach is also bordered by a massive sand dune which is one of the most iconic images of Cabo de Gata. Atop the dune, you can enjoy fantastic views of the bay, the coast and the surrounding volcanic landscapes. Without a doubt, Playa de Monsul is one of the top things to do in Almeria.
BEST BEACHES IN CABO DE GATA CABO DE GATA TRAVEL GUIDE
Playa de Monsul is a completely undeveloped and virgin beach in Cabo de Gata on the Costa de Almeria. You must take everything with you that you may need such as water, beach umbrella, etc.
Getting in and out of the water is very easy and the beach is great for families with children. It is also a good spot to snorkel, especially around the peineta.
Several movies, TV series and commercials have been filmed at Monsul. The most famous is probably a scene from Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade.
Playa de Monsul is located 5 km away from the center of San Jose following the dirt road. By car it takes about 15 minutes.
However, keep in mind that during high season, access to the beach by car is limited. As soon as the parking is full (which has space for about 120 vehicles), the road is closed. After that, the only way to get to the beach is by foot, bike or public bus.
Following the same dirt road from San Jose, it is possible to walk to Monsul Beach in approximately 1 hour.
During high season, it is possible to get to Playa de Monsul from San Jose by bus. There is one bus every 30 minutes from 9am til 9pm and one ticket costs 1.5€. The bus has 3 stops in San Jose: Calle Entrada (next to the parking), Calle de Correos (in front of the supermarket) and Calle Ronda (at the beginning of the dirt road to the beaches). It stops at the following beaches: Playa de los Genoveses, Playa de Barronal, Playa de Mónsul and Cala Carbón.
The parking area is located about 300 meters from the beach. During high season (mid June til mid September) parking costs 5€/day. It is free the rest of the year.
Please note that, as mentioned above, in high season when the parking lot is full, access for additional cars is forbidden.
From the Playa de Monsul parking, it’s a 5-min walk to the beach. It is a relatively flat and simple path.
Kayaking is without a doubt, one of the top things to do in Cabo de Gata. Some of the best views of the nature park are seen from the water and kayaking along the coast allows you to see areas that are totally inaccessible from the land – that includes some impressive rock formations and secret caves.
We suggest taking park in this kayaking tour of the Cabo de Gata coast. You will be accompanied by a professional and friendly instructor at all times, who above all, will have your safety in mind. Throughout the tour, there are several stops with geological explanations of the cape and other curiosities and mysteries.
In addition, this tour includes a stop in a calm area where you can anchor your kayak and do some snorkeling. Masks, snorkels and fins are all included in the price.
The route is easy, suitable for both adults and children. The starting point for this kayak excursion is the beach of San Jose.
If you just want to relax on a boat and take in Cabo de Gata’s jaw dropping coastline, then a boat trip from San Jose is the perfection option. The tours depart from San Jose’s port and take you to discover virgin beaches and hard to reach spots along the shoreline. Below are two great options:
Snorkeling in Cabo de Gata is a great way to see the world below the surface in the nature park. You will discover an abundance of life amongst the sea grass known as the Posidonia prairie. Fish around here get up close and personal since they aren’t afraid of humans as in other parts due to the parks prohibition on underwater fishing.
If you don’t care to combine a boat trip with snorkeling and just want to have an all out snorkeling experience, then we recommend to take part in this snorkeling tour. The starting point is at Cala Higuera which is situated right next to San Jose. From here you will be given equipment and swim out with a guide who will show you the best spots to see sea life as well as underwater rock formations and caves.
A different way to discover the natural park is participating in this 4x4 tour of Cabo de Gata. During the 2.5 hours of this activity, you will have the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful corners of the area, such as the iconic Reef of the Mermaids, saltwater lakes, hidden pristine beaches and much more – all accompanied by an expert guide and driver. In addition, during the summer, the tour makes a stop for a swim at one of the beaches.
The starting point of this tour is the town of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata.
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