The following beaches are amongst the most beautiful in the region:
1. Villa Nanitos – near the mud baths of San Pedro del Pinatar, with various sporting facilities such as wind surfing, volley ball, kayaking and waterskiing.
2. La Llana – long, sandy, blue flag beach, with foot showers during the main season. Mild water, with some waves in parts.
3. El Espejo – another blue flag, sandy beach on the Mar Menor with wind surfing, volley ball and kayaking. Calm waters.
4. Euromanga – typical beach of the La Manga stretch, sandy and pleasant with calm waters.
5. Los Nietos – 4km long grey, sandy beach with showers, lots of restaurants and calm waters.
6. A group of 3 beaches – Cala Medina / Las Melvas / Levante – small beaches, with slightly wavey water, ranging from sand to gravel to rock, great all round beaches. There are restaurant services and some good opportunities for snorkeling.
7. Cala de las Mulas – a nudist beach with fine sands and no services.
8. Cala Cortina – a calm sandy beach with toilets and showers, and a life guard service.
9. El Portus – a quiet, sandy beach with showers, difficult to reach.
10. El Belonte Grande and Salitrona – a pair of short, sandy beaches only accessible by boat or on foot.
11. La Calera and San Ginés – gravel and sand beaches with calm water and reasonable facilities such as showers in places and a few restaurants and shops.
12. El Rihuete and Puerto de Mazarrón – sandy beaches, with plenty of local shops and restaurants.
13. El Cabezo de la Pelea and Las Covaticas – sand and gravel beaches which are great for snorkeling. Some of the coves in this area are frequented by nudist bathers.
14. Baño de las Mujeres and El Ciscar – this pair of quiet, short beaches offer great fishing as well as swimming and snorkeling.
15. Abejerro and Las Pulgas – sand and gravel beaches, quiet, with no facilities.
16. Punta del Fraile – only accessible by foot, with good clear water for snorkelling.
This is an extract from A Brit's Scrapbook: Going Native In Murcia by Debbie Jenkins and Marcus Jenkins. It is a comprehensive guide to investing, holidaying and living in Murcia and the Costa Cálida.