Tourists visiting the Murcia region this summer will be able to enjoy a total of 33 beaches and marinas that have received the international Blue Flag distinction.
The Blue Flag is considered one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas and sustainable tourism boats. According to the organisation operating and awarding the distinctions, the Foundation for Environmental Education, “In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
“Central to the ideals of the Blue Flag program is the aim of connecting the public with their surroundings and encouraging them to learn more about their environment. As such, environmental education activities must be offered and promoted in addition to a permanent display of information relevant to the site in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems and environmental phenomena.”
In an official statement, the regional ministry of tourism said the flag would be raised at 27 beaches and six marinas throughout the Costa Cálida. These include:
- The municipality with the highest number, Águilas (nine) – at the Calarreona, La Carolina, La Casica Verde, La Colonia, La Higuerica, Las Delicias, Levante, Matalentisco and Poniente beaches.
- Cartagena next with six beaches – Cala Cortina, El Portús, Isla Plana, La Chapineta, Levante-Cabo de Palos and San Ginés.
- Mazarrón with five – Bahía, Rihuete, Playa Grande-Castellar, El Mojón and Alamillo (which regained its flag).
- Three in San Pedro del Pinatar – El Mojón, La Torre Derribada and Las Salinas.
- Two in San Javier – La Ensenada del Esparto and El Pedrucho.
- One in Lorca – Calnegre.
- Banco del Tabal-Calnegre in La Manga, jointly nominated by the Cartagena and San Javier municipalities.
- The six marinas are Club Náutico de Águilas, Club de Regatas de Mazarrón, Marina Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar, Real Club de Regatas de Cartagena, Yacht Port de Cartagena and Juan Montiel in Águilas.
Nationally, Spain has been distinguished with a total of 746 Blue Flags this year, led by the top three regions of Valencia (159), Andalucía (156) and Galicia (125). Of the single-province regions, only the Balearics (46) has more Blue Flags than Murcia.
