The sea
Thee Costa Calida: watersports walhalla
Not so keen on mass tourism? Then you can still visit the Mar Menor. If you want to avoid the flow of tourists, you can go near the rough and practically deserted beaches with walking paths in the dunes and the hills at the edge of the Mediterranean.
With views that anoint the soul. Immediately, a great asset of Murcia: the province still has entire strips of beach that are not built up. Some of these jagged, rock-strewn spots are protected areas. Elsewhere, they might want to start putting up buildings again....
However it may turn out: it may be best not to wait too long.
Cabo de Palos has a more authentic character compared to the new buildings a little further away. Including a cute little port with fishing boats and a lighthouse that dominates the cape and its surroundings.
Lo Pagan's mud baths
Lo Pagan mud baths are about 4 km from San Javier airport.
Neem op de AP7 de afslag “San Pedro del Pinatar” en volg de wegwijzers naar Lo Pagan.
Lo Pagan has a beautiful stand, but is best known for its mud baths, which by the way are public and free. In recent years, some wooden palisades have been installed to facilitate entry into the water and mud.
The water is about 1.50 m deep and warm, even in spring and autumn.
The mud is recommended for various skin conditions like ulcers, acne and abscesses and is also recommended for arthritis and rheumatism. The sediment contains high values of potassium, magnesium, calcium, fluorine, solfer and chlorine. For good effect, the mud is smeared on the skin; then left to dry in the sun and rinsed off in the sea across the dyke.
If you love water sports and don't want to worry about the kids wandering too far into the water: one address: the Mar Menor, Europe's largest lagoon. A sea within a sea, closed off by La Manga, a strip of land some 20 kilometres long. On a map: the Mediterranean on the right, the Mar Menor on the left. You can really walk hundreds of metres here and not yet go underwater. The deepest point in the entire lagoon is seven metres deep. Mar Menor That's why the Mar Menor is sometimes called the largest pool in Europe.
In summer the water is very warm, and the high salt content makes it easier for people to float. Moreover, the water is very calm because the strip of land - a kilometer or two wide at most - acts as a natural breakwater. In other words, the Mar Menor is ideal for families.
Buitenlanders, maar ook Spanjaarden zelf vinden hun weg naar deze kuststrook. Qua watersport is dit het walhalla. Ruim twintig watersportcentra bieden mogelijkheden en cursussen aan: zeilen, catamaran varen, surfen, waterski, jetski, kajak… Een kijkje nemen naar de belachelijk dure yachts in een van de luxehavens kan ook.
Diving paradise
From the Cabo de Palos you can see pointy rocks protruding above the surface of the water: not surprisingly, this is where many a skipper saw his barge go to sharks. The waters around the cape form one of the most dangerous shipping lanes in Europe, which immediately explains the large number of wrecks lying at the bottom of the sea. Combined with an already very rich marine biotope and very clear waters, this makes Cabo de Palos one of the best places to dive.
They even have their own ‘Titanic story’ there. In 1906, a beautiful Italian ship got stuck on a rock. People panicked and jumped into the water. The distance to shore was not far, the water was calm. Yet 500 people drowned that day. Unnecessarily, as the ship remained trapped on the rock for another two weeks. A local fisherman saved 450 people by ramming his ship against the Italian luxury liner so people could transfer to his ship. A sign with his name and a description of his heroic deed can be found at the lighthouse, a model of the Italian ship in the nearby tourist centre.