A short 10 minute drive alongside the lakeside of Salinas de la Mata, brings you to the beautiful beaches of Guardamar de Segura. Costa Blanca beaches have a reputation for superb amenities and cleanliness, and Platja de Guardamar is no exception, being given the EU blue flag seal of approval, which governs cleanliness, safety and provision of general facilities. Fine, golden sands, shelving gradually into the calm Mediterranean waters are inviting and a safe haven for family bathing. Facilities include: beachside bars and cafes, watersports and beach activities. The small town of Guardamar provides an excellent backdrop for shopping and restaurants.

Travelling northwards 5 miles along the coast road brings you to the beaches of La Pinadar and La Marina, both backed by pine forests and protected from development. The pine and eucalyptus groves, originally planted to prevent shifting sand dunes, give rise to good shade and have now become a nature park where you can picnic, mountain bike or visit an ancient Mosque only recently unearthed from a thick blanket of sand.

A few more miles up the coast brings you to the port of Santa Pola which is home to the largest Mediterranean fishing fleet and from where you can catch a short boat ride (25mins) across to the island of Tabarca. Here you will find the island breezes refreshing and the gentle sloping beaches safe for children. The small coves abundant with marine life, facilitate excellent snorkelling and scuba-diving with even the odd turtle still in residence.