The superb year-round climate on the Costa Cálida, Región de Murcia, in southern Spain, means visitors can continue to enjoy watersports even into October – and with accommodation starting from just £20 per person, per night, there’s never been a better time to dip your toe in the water.
With the Costa Cálida’s climate, glorious beaches, and calm and shallow conditions, all manner of watersports can be enjoyed, safe in the knowledge that there is also a wide choice of accommodation and plenty of options for dining out.
The region even has the Mar Menor, Europe’s largest salt-water lagoon – separated from the Mediterranean Sea by La Manga, a narrow strip of land 22km long – which is one of the most highly-regarded expanses of water on which to enjoy watersports, including sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, kite surfing, speed boating and stand-up paddle boarding.
Amazingly, the water remains warm enough for the Surfari Mar Menor to take place in October (13-15), an event which attracts enthusiasts of all ages and levels including world and national champions. This year sees the 20th running of the windsurfing and kitesurfing extravaganza which also features music and parties on the beaches on the western shore of the Mar Menor, at Club Nautico Mar Menor, Los Alcazares.
Elsewhere, the Estación Náutica Mar Menor – Cabo de Palos provides partner schools for a variety of family water-based activities, in Mar Menor and La Manga, and also offers accommodation in hotels, apartments, campsites and youth sports hostels. Its travel packages include accommodation, nautical activities and rental equipment, if required.
And, just down the coast at Mazarrón and Águilas, not only can one enjoy life on top of the waves, but also underneath them, with many clubs organising courses for all levels together, with diving expeditions to enjoy the beauty of the rocky sea bottoms, spectacular underwater caves and grottos.
The Mazarrón marina also has 200 mooring points while the local club offers courses for both beginners and more experienced sailors. At Águilas, opposite the breakwater of El Hornillo, lies the Isle of El Fraile, a small island covered with rocky slope sea bottoms and seaweed colonies for the particular enjoyment of divers, while the fascinating sea floor at the foot of the Crag of Cabo Cope also attract divers.
And, again, Águilas offers a variety of other watersports, with courses given in many of the disciplines by qualified teachers for those who are yet to master the waves.
A three-night, self-catering break in La Manga from October 13 costs from just £60 per person, based on two sharing, a one-bedroom apartment at the Apartamentos Olympia Center, just 100ms from the beach.
Access to Costa Cálida, Región de Murcia, is simple as it is served by Murcia-San Javier airport all year round, while Alicante airport is also nearby.
