Beaches and coves of Alcossebre

Three things get mixed up, and they are worth separating.

The flag on the mast is the swimming status right now: green, swimming allowed; yellow, caution — stay near the shore; red, no swimming. It is raised by the lifeguard service on the beach itself and can change through the day, so the only valid flag is the one flying when you arrive.

Blue Flag is something else: an annual award for water quality, facilities and management. In Alcossebre it goes to Playa del Cargador and Playa Romana, and it says nothing about today's sea.

To see the sea before leaving the house, there are the town's live webcams: they show the swell and how busy the sand is right now. Lifeguard hours and the state of seasonal services are published by the Alcalà de Xivert-Alcossebre town council and the tourism site (alcossebre.org).

The main town beach of Alcossebre, right in the centre: wide, with fine sand and shallow water, a Blue Flag and every service on foot (promenade, beach bars, restaurants). The easiest for family bathing and for anyone staying in the centre.

Official figures: it is the broadest in the municipality, 700 m long and 70 m wide of fine sand, with full services and accessibility provision. At its southern end it keeps a dune area of high ecological value.

A beach made unique by the freshwater springs that rise directly through the sand and shoreline. With calm waters, it sits next to the marina, full of terraces and boating atmosphere. Perfect for combining the beach with a stroll around the port.

Official figures: 400 m long and 40 m wide, just north of the marina. Its freshwater springs are of high ecological value and its calm water makes it ideal with family.

In the north, a wide golden-sand beach with a calm, family feel and a Blue Flag. One of the longest in the municipality, ideal for long walks and for families looking for less bustle than in the centre.

Official figures: 500 m long and 50 m wide. It is reached by the wooden walkway that starts at Cargador beach, and it has an accessible wooden platform plus marked-off areas to protect the local flora and fauna.

To the north, the coast becomes a string of sand-and-rock coves: the Tres Playas and Cala del Moro, more sheltered and with crystal-clear water, ideal for snorkelling and for those who prefer quiet corners.

The official guide names them: Les Manyetes beach — the one in the Tres Playas area — is 400 m long and 40 m wide, quiet and with good water quality, ideal for water sports; and El Moro beach sits between two rocky outcrops running down to the sea, with fine white sand.

This is the beach that keeps the most natural state, because it is made of pebbles. It lies at the mouth of the Sant Miquel river and has a feature you rarely see: a partly submerged delta. At its southern end a stretch has been set aside as a pet-friendly beach — so yes, there is a dog beach in Alcossebre.

Worth knowing: every beach in the municipality is certified to ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environment), and the town beaches add seasonal services and accessibility. If you want absolute silence, carry on to the coves inside the natural park.

The Sierra de Irta Natural Park holds one of the last stretches of unspoilt coastline in the Mediterranean: coves such as Cala Blanca or Cala Mundina, with turquoise water, reached by seaside paths. A plan of nature, snorkelling and mountain biking that runs all the way to the lighthouse.

If you are picking a beach in order to decide where to stay, each area has its own: it is all worked out in the guide to the areas of Alcossebre. And if you want the sand right across the promenade, see the beachfront apartments; if you want the opposite, those in the quiet areas.

Something few visitors know: in summer, on the sand at Cargador, Romana and Las Fuentes, there are free yoga, tai chi, pilates and fitness classes first thing in the morning, and games for children mid-morning. Days and times are in the sport and activities guide.